No anti-Cong wave; anti-BJP wave in Karnataka says Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru, Mar 2: Killing an Indian porcupine and inviting his TikTok followers to view it proved costly for a 25-year-old man from Kalaburagi. Forest department officials tracked him down and arrested him on Sunday morning.

Manjunath Biryalhissa, a resident of Jewargi taluk, was famous for his various TikTok videos and for lifting heavy stones in his village and neighbouring areas.

According to forest officials, on Friday, Manjunath and his friends caught a porcupine in Sindagi range, Vijayapura and stoned it to death. Later, they fried and cooked it. Manjunath then made an 18-second video, where he spoke about the porcupine hunt and slaughter, besides inviting his followers to like the video and join him in the feast.

The video was on TikTok and Facebook. Wildlife activists who found the video alerted forest department officials.

“Porcupine comes under schedule four of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Keeping this video as evidence we were able to trace him through his Facebook account, where he had shared details of his hometown,” said forest officials.

Mangaluru, Apr 3: The Dakshina Kannada district administration’s decision to ban use of private vehicles, excluding permitted categories, from Friday for effective implementation of lockdown, began showing results since morning itself.

Mangaluru City Traffic Police and Dakshina Kannada district police erected several pickets at vantage places on arterial roads to check those moving without a valid reason. Several two-wheelers were seized during the checking while a few car drivers were let off with a strict warning.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic), M Manjunatha Shetty, who was supervising a picket at Hampankatta, said that movement of private vehicles has drastically reduced in the city.

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 14: Amid Covid-19 lockdown,

Keralites celebrated a low key "Vishu" ,the Malayalam new year, on Tuesday, hoping that days of plenty, prosperity and peace will return.

People woke up in the early hours to see the auspicious "Vishu kani", symbolising hope, promise and fine prospects they wish to have in the year ahead.

The ritual comprises arranging on platters auspicious articles like seasonal fruits, vegetables, flower, gold and clothes which together form the first sight when the family members wake up on the Vishu day.

Normally, Keralites dressed in their traditional attire throng temples across the state.

However, this year due to the lockdown restrictions, temple visits were given a go by.

The famed Sri Krishna temple at Guruvayur and the Lord Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala witnesses heavy rush of devotees during the vishu day.

But pilgrims were not allowed inside and only temple officials and security personnel were present for the"Vishu kani".

Rehaman, a small time trader, said very few people have come out for vishu purchases due to the restricitons.

It is fine as it is for a good cause, while Radha, a young woman said she could not celebrate the festival.

"We have no money, no job. With whatever little we have, we are celebrating the festival", she said.

87-year-old Vilasini Nambiar, a retired college professor, said vishu has visited the state during a most bewildering time.

"It should however remind us that every mountain must have its valley, desert its oasis, every storm cloud its rainbow, every night its day.

We are prepared to believe that we will overcome this misfortune", she said.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Home minister, Amit Shah, Kerala Governor, Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, were among those who greeted people on the occasion of Vishu.