'Kundapur accident that claimed lives of 8 students could have been avoided'

Mangaluru, May 4: No major crowds were seen in the coastal city of Mangaluru today except in front of the liquor shops after the district administration relaxed the lockdown norms for 12 hours a day (between 7am and 7pm).

There was no mad rush of vehicles either on city roads when the relaxed lockdown began. There were fewer people to buy essentials in front of grocery and vegetable shops as they had time till late evening.

There was no let down in the number of police pickets as well as curbs on vehicular movement across the city either. 

The government has allowed sale of liquor in CL2 (standalone wine shops) and CL 11 (MSIL outlets) to mop up revenues when Lockdown-3 commenced from Monday. Compared the other parts of Karnataka, the size of queues in front of liquor shops in Mangaluru were smaller. 

Like other parts of the country, the lockdown was imposed in the coastal district on March 24 to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Prior to that, a curfew was imposed in the district from March 22 midnight. The lockdown did not apply to essential services such as sale of food, groceries, milk, vegetables, fruits, and meat and fish. Gradually the district administration had to intensify the lockdown and allow those shops to remain open only between 7 a.m. and 12 noon. 

With the lockdown relaxation extending till 7 p.m., Mangaluru today witnessed people and private vehicles moving freely in the afternoon for the first time in more than a month. However, only those who had to go for work and do other essential activities were seen on roads. After 7 p.m. movements of all kinds of vehicles will be prohibited. 

The relaxation was to facilitate economic activities that had come to a standstill during the first two phases of lockdown. Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Dr P S Harsha, meanwhile, warned the people against misusing lockdown relaxation and venturing out without any genuine reason.

Hassan, Feb 2: Former prime minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda has said that the controversy over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act should be resolved peacefully through discussion.

Speaking to reporters in Halebeed on Saturday, Gowda said that the Act affects only Muslims but would also prove troublesome for the Hindus. “Opening fire on anti-CAA protesters is the not solution to the issue,” he said.

Deve Gowda said that during his tenure as prime minister a number of problems concerning Muslims were addressed. “But, in the run up to election, Rahul Gandhi described us ‘B’ team of BJP. This led to vote swing,” he added. When his comment was sought on the budget, the former prime minister said that he had not yet read the budget document.

Kasaragod, June 14: Two teenagers lost their lives and two others sustained injuries after the car in which they were travelling veered off the road and turned turtle at Kumbla in Kasaragod district today. 

The deceased have been identified as Hussin (17), son of Abusalih-Hasina couple from Kumbala Badria Nagar and Hasan Midlaj (18) hailing from Talangara. 

The condition of Shahal, a resident of Moghal, is said to be critical. He was rushed to a private hospital in Mangaluru. 

The accident occurred near Little Lilli English Medium School. High speed and rash driving are said to be reason for the crash. 

The Maruti Zen car veered off the road and rammed into a tree before turning turtle. There were four people on board the car. One died on the spot and the other at the hospital.