SFI leader stabbed to death on college campus in Kerala

Bengaluru, May 18: Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa today announced lockdown relaxations from tomorrow (May 19) across the state. As per new guidelines public transport services will start operations outside COVID-19 containment zones in the state. 

 “To facilitate easy movements of citizens, services of the BMTC, KSRTC, NEKRTC and NWKRTC will start from Tuesday morning, except in containment zones. Even private buses can ply,” Yediyurappa said, after discussing the Centre's Lockdown 4.0 guidelines with his Cabinet colleagues and officials. 

“The only condition is that only 30 people should travel in one bus so as to ensure social distancing,” the CM said. 

He also clarified that bus fares will not be hiked. “I know there will be losses incurred. The government will bear the losses,” he said. 

Auto rickshaws, taxis and maxi cabs (six-passenger vehicles) will also be allowed to operate. “Auto rickshaws and taxis will have a driver and two passengers. Maxi cabs will have a driver and three passengers,” Yediyurappa said. 

All parks in the state will be open 7 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm. 

Starting Tuesday, all shops except malls and theatres can open. “This includes salons,” the CM said. 

All relaxation will cease to exist every Sunday, the CM said. “Every Sunday will be a complete lockdown. There’ll be no shops and the movement of people. It’ll be a complete rest day,” he said. 

The existing curfew from 7 pm to 7 am will continue on all days, which means public transport services will not be allowed during this time. 

Trains will run within the state, but interstate trains will not be allowed till May 31, the CM said. 

It is mandatory for citizens to wear masks in public. “Not wearing a mask will be penalised,” Yediyurappa said. 

On the classification of zones, Yediyurappa said the government's main focus was containment zones. “We're particular about containment zones. In the Karwar district, for example, Bhatkal will be a containment zone and no other taluk will have restrictions,” he said. 

However, the government will review the relaxation based on how things pan out. “States have been given the freedom, so we can withdraw or modify as necessary,” he said.

Dharward, Jul 25: In a shocking incident, a man reportedly killed his wife and daughter by feeding them poison and ended his life by hanging in his house. The incident took place in Dharwad on Saturday. 

The deceased have been identified as Mounesh Pattar (36), his wife Arpita (28) and their four-year-old daughter Sukruta. 

Mounesh was working in a private company in Dharwad and was depressed from the last one week fearing job loss. 

It was alleged that he might lose his job as the management decided to remove more than 40 employees due to covid -19 lockdown.

On Friday late night, he reportedly gave poison to his wife and daughter and later committed suicide by hanging self. The incident came to light on Saturday morning.

A case is registered at Sub Urban police station and further investigation is on.

Ballari, Jul 17: An MLA from Karnataka’s Ballari district has tested positive for covid-19. P T Parameshwar Naik, Congress MLA from Huvina Hadagali constituency confirmed that he contracted coronavirus.

Parameshwar Naik had developed symptoms a few days back. He was subjected to Covid-19 test at a hospital in Harapanahalli. On Thursday, his report came positive. Naik’s house at Harapanahalli has been sealed. He is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bengaluru.

The other legislators from the state to test positive for coronavirus are: MLAs C T Ravi (Chikkmagaluru), Bharat Shetty (Mangaluru North), Ranganath (Kunigal), Sharath Bachegowda (Hoskote), Rajkumar Patil Telkur (Sedam), Ajay Singh (Jewargi), Prasad Abbayya (Hubballi-Dharwad East), MLCs Bhojegowda and M K Pranesh.