Homestay attack: All you had to do was dial 100, Seemant tells media

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar)
July 30, 2012

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Mangalore, July 30: Seemant Kumar Singh, Mangalore City Police Commissioner, on Monday said that he does not hold media as a whole responsible for the attack which took place on young boys and girls at a homestay in Padil in the presence of their cameras.

Addressing media persons at his office after a memorandum was submitted to him by the Dakshina Kannada District Working Journalists' Association requesting him to drop the FIRs registered against media persons in connection with the case, Mr. Singh said that no media person has been arrested and that their role is still being investigated. “Although one of the arrested has told us that he had informed the media, we are not going by his word just as yet. The matter is being investigated”, he said.

Mr. Singh said that media persons arrived at the spot to do their duty. “However, you and I have a bigger duty and responsibility towards the society and you should have informed the police. The concerned media person has said that the mob outnumbered media persons at the spot and there was very little he could do. If you were really concerned, you could have done much more. All you had to do was dial 100”, he said.

When it was pointed out that many a time police do not respond to calls made by media persons, Mr. Singh said that he would direct all police officers to see that media persons' calls are attended to and revert back to them in case they are unable to pick calls for some reason.

Mr. Singh maintained that the video footage shot by media persons have helped in identifying some of the culprits behind the assault. “But had you informed us beforehand, there would not have been a need to go through the footage at all. The incident could have been prevented”, he said. Media persons focused more on capturing the victims on camera rather than the culprits, he alleged.

In response to a query on the inaction of police personnel also being present at the spot when the assaulters were in the homestay, Mr. Singh asked for evidence for the early presence of police at the spot. If police officers are found to have been guilty, action would be taken against them, he assured.

Denying that the police have registered FIRs against media persons for personal grudge and enmity, Mr. Singh invited media persons to name a few members from their side to be a part of a common committee along with the police to sort the matter out.

Earlier, a delegation of media persons led by P B Harish Rai, President, DK District Working Journalists' Association, submitted a memorandum to the Commissioner. Stating that it is the democratic right of the media to convey to the people what is happening in society, Mr. Rai requested Mr. Singh to drop the cases against media persons and create an environment where members of the media fraternity could carry out their job with freedom.

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News Network
June 24,2020

Bengaluru, Jun 24: The Karnataka government on Tuesday announced that fever clinics would be established at all district-level and taluk-level hospitals, wherein fever cases would be screened in a separate area.

"Fever clinics to be established at all district hospitals/district-level hospitals and taluk-level hospitals, wherein all fever cases should be screened 24x7 in a separate area and for Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases to be subjected for swab testing," read a circular from the Department of Health and Family Welfare dated June 22.

The circular said that private institutions in the corporation areas should also be designated as fever clinics.

"100 per cent of Community Health Centres (CHC), 50 per cent of Primary Health Centres and Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHC) to be converted as exclusive fever clinics to screen ILI/SARI during working hours. The remaining PHC/UPHC to cater to non-COVID-19 cases. All health institutions need to have a separate entry for COVID and non-COVID services," the circular further said.

Karnataka on Tuesday reported 322 fresh COVID-19 positive cases and eight deaths.
According to the state health department, the total number of positive cases has mounted to 9,721 and 150 deaths. So far, 6,004 people have been discharged.

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News Network
February 1,2020

Mangaluru, Feb 1: “1) Take necessary precautionary measures. 2) Don’t blindly believe in social media rumours.” These are the two important advisories issued by the authorities in Dakshina Kannada district in the wake of coronavirus scare.

According to DHO Dr Ramakrishna there is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for coronavirus infection. Supportive care for infected people can be highly effective, but, there is no vaccine available for coronavirus.

In a health meeting, he advised people to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus. Following are some of the precautionary measures.

1) Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitiser.

2) Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

3) Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

4) Stay home when you are sick, and cover your mouth when you cough or use a tissue while sneezing.

5) Throw the used tissue in the dustbin. Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently.

Deputy commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh said there is no need for people to panic about coronavirus.

Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat CEO R Selvamani said IEC programmes will be held to create awareness on possibilities of spread of diseases.

He also advised people not to follow blindly the advisories being shared on social media, especially WhatsApp without proper verification.

“Posts on cures for coronavirus which are not scientifically proven are being shared on social media. Do not follow such advisories without verifying facts,” he said.

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News Network
August 8,2020

Bengaluru, Aug 8: Anticipating a huge number of pilgrims from Karnataka to start visiting Ayodhya following the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Ram temple, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Friday requested his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath for two acres of land to build a 'yatri nivas' (guest house).

"A large number of pilgrims from Karnataka would be visiting Ayodhya. The government of Karnataka wishes to construct a yatri nivas for the pilgrims visiting Ayodhya," Yediyurappa wrote to Yogi.

"I request you to grant two acres of land in Ayodhya for this purpose," he said.

The Chief Minister said the yatri nivas will be constructed for the benefit of pilgrims from the southern state.

He also congratulated the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for successfully laying the foundation stone for the Ram temple on Wednesday.

Comments

M SHARIEF SULTAN
 - 
Sunday, 9 Aug 2020

Use our money for corona patients. Dont waste tax payers money.

For Ayodhya pilgrims, Spend from your BJP looted money.

Ahmed A.K.
 - 
Sunday, 9 Aug 2020

Our ruling govt is only interested in RAM Mandir and spending crores of rupees for the temple. Why the other community is not demanding fund from the GOVT?

Not bothered about the development of the country as currently we have no idea how to tackle the corona viurs. Ministers are keen on builing Guest house for pilgrims, Statue of RAM etc etc.

Please concentrate on how to minimise the Virus issue in KARNAKATA like other Gulf countries.

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