Two arrested in Kundapur for threatening to kill ASHA workers

Wayanad, April 7: The Kerala government has allowed people from border villages of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to use medical facilities at Wayanad.

"We have opened our borders to people from neighbouring states who require medical facilities in Kerala. Twenty-nine people from Bairakuppa in Karnataka have used medical facilities in Wayanad and 44 from Tamil Nadu," Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Monday.

Bairakuppa, a small village in Karnataka, is separated by the river Kabini from Wayanad district and the residents there depend on the healthcare facilities available in Wayanad.

Speaking to news agency, Adeela Abdulla, District Collector of Wayanad, said that instructions have been issued to allow people from neighbouring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, who need medical facilities, to cross the border.

"Right from the start of the lockdown, we have not restricted individuals from Bairakuppa region in Mysore district to use the medical facilities in Wayanad as people in that region depend on medical facilities in Wayanad," she said.

Bengaluru, Jan 25: The local police will provide security for Sri Nijagunananda Swami and his Kittur Nishkal Mantapa Mutt following a letter containing a threat to his life that was received on Friday.

The letter, containing the names of 15 liberal thinkers and activists, was circulated widely on social media and shown on some Kannada TV channels. The letter is addressed to the seer, and it condemns his lectures where he speaks in favour of liberal values.

“The decision to eliminate you will be taken on January 21. You will be eliminated, along with 15 of your followers and people who think like you,” the letter said. 

Among those threatened are Nidumamidi Channammalla Swami, Jnyana Prakash Swami, the former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, actors Prakash Raj and Chetan Kumar, writer Chandrashekar Patil, Brinda Karat of the CPI(M) and writer K.S. Bhagavan.

It is not the first time that the seer is getting such threats. Two years ago, Belagavi Police had provided security to the seer following threats to his life. Last year, he got a phone call from a person from Shivamogga district. But the seer did not bother to complain.

This time, the district police will seek a written complaint from the seer. “We will assess the threat perception and the security levels. Adequate security will be provided,” the police said.

The seer is now camping in Jewargi in Kalaburagi district. “We have intimated the Kalaburagi Superintendent of Police of the need for immediate security arrangements. We will take steps to provide adequate security to him once he arrives in Belagavi district,” Superintendent of Police Lakshman Nimbaragi said.