Saudi NRI techie detained at Mangaluru Airport; cops release him after realising their mistake

Bengaluru, Apr 20: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday held a meeting with State Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai and police officers over the Padarayanapura incident that occurred on Sunday.

A ruckus erupted in Padarayanapura on Sunday allegedly over shifting of suspected COVID-19 persons to quarantine facility by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials.

"I met the Chief Minsiter and briefed him. CM has told us to act strictly. I have told the same to my officials. We won't tolerate such acts by anyone. We have arrested 59 people and five FIRs have been registered. I'm going to Padarayanapura now. Will make sure others are quarantined," said Bommai earlier today after meeting the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, reacting on the incident, former Karnataka Chief Minister and Janata Dal-Secular leader HD Kumaraswamy said that the people responsible must be dealt with proper action.

"These kinds of incidents are not acceptable, its an act of shame. Doesn't matter which community one belongs to, each and every one must follow the guidelines and law. Whoever is indulged in such act must be punished," he said.
In a series of tweet Kumaraswamy said that it was not at all needed to attack the police check post and this act is unacceptable.

The incident occurred in the late evening on Sunday at Padarayanapura which is recognized as a 'Red Zone' when BBMP officials went to bring 15 secondary contacts of corona positive patients.

However, some people and youth created ruckus and broke the barricades and removed police post which was stalled in the area.
Soon after receiving the information, Bengaluru South Deputy Commissioner of Police reached the spot and brought the situation under control.
"Lockdown continues, please remain indoors.

Tomorrow will be as it was till today. We Understand your situation and appreciate your cooperation," tweeted Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, Bhaskar Rao.

In Karnataka, 390 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19, of which 16 people have succumbed to the infection, as per the Union Health Ministry.

Bengaluru, May 18: Indian food delivery startup Swiggy said on Monday it would lay off 1,100 employees, or nearly 14% of its workforce, to cut costs, as a weeks-long nationwide lockdown to curb the coronavirus outbreak hits demand for online food ordering.

The company, backed by South African internet giant Naspers, also said it will scale down adjacent businesses and has already shut several of its cloud kitchens - facilities that only cater to takeaway orders - temporarily or permanently.

“The core food delivery business has been severely impacted and will stay impacted over the short term, but is expected to start growing again after that,” said Sriharsha Majety, co-founder and chief executive at Bengaluru-based Swiggy.

Swiggy, one of India’s best known startups, is among many that are laying off employees and reshaping their business in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced 1.3 billion Indians indoors and crippled business.

India is currently under a two-month lockdown, and though several curbs are being eased, public places such as restaurants remain closed, hurting restaurants themselves as well as companies such as Swiggy and main rival Zomato.

Mangaluru, May 3: Dakshina Kannada in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary today announced that there will be partial lockdown relaxations in the district from tomorrow (May 4) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The district falls under orange zone as per the classification done by the union government to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Mr Poojary said that shops can remain open for 12 hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.). However, this relaxation will not apply for malls, restaurants, beauty parlors, saloons and dental clinics. 

Even though bars can remain open, they can only sell liquor. People will not be allowed to consume anything inside the bar. 

In auto-rickshaws only one passenger will be allowed to travel apart from driver and in car two passengers will be allowed apart from driver. 

The relaxations come with strict protocols, which the people need to follow, he said, adding that the relief had been provided to make life easier and not for people to come out unnecessarily.