Second innings in politics: After KPJP flop, actor Upendra is all set to launch UPPI

Wayanad/Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 24: Amid the strict lockdown, a school teacher travelled from Thiruvananthapuram to Muthanga in Wayanad -- a distance of about 465 km -- on her way to neighbouring Karnataka en route to Delhi following which cases have been registered against her and an excise official.

The woman, Kamna Sharma, said to be working in Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pattom, undertook the journey on April 21 along with her two year-old daughter, police sources told news agency PTI.

An Excise Circle Inspector, Shahjahan, had provided his vehicle to travel allegedly on the instructions of Malappuram excise officer, in whose private vehicle, the woman and the child had reached Wayanad border from Thiruvananthapuram, the sources said.

The two were charged under the Kerala Epidemic Act and various sections of the IPC including sect 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection) and 271 (disobedience to quarantine rule).

Because of the lockdown even inter-district travel is not allowed by police and district administration, unless there is an extremely genuine reason.

A senior police official in Thiruvananthapuram said he does not remember issuing any such pass.

The woman may have "misused" government machinery as private vehicles would have been stopped somewhere during the long journey, he said.

She came to Kalpetta in Wayanad allegedly in an official car of the excise department.

Wayanad District police chief R Elango said that an FIR has been filed based on preliminary information and investigations have begun.

"We will check if she has followed procedures in obtaining a pass and if she made any false claim to get the pass."

As per preliminary information the woman came in an excise official's car from Thamarassery (Kozhikode) to Muthunga(Wayanad), he said. Her mode of transport before that--from Thiruvananthapuram to Wayanad--will also be investigated, he said, adding they have no information if she has reached Delhi.

"We will track down her movement," he said Meanwhile, theWayanad district administration has intensified the lockdown protocol from Thursday to prevent people's movement within and from outside the district/state.

Interception at all the check posts on district an state borders of the district, bordering Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, will also be intensified. No one would be allowed to travel frequently to and fro the district under the pretext of official duty.

Wayanad collector Adhila Abdulla said officials from outside the district will no longer be allowed to commute daily.

"Elderly people above the age of 65 should confine to their homes unless it is extremely urgent or unavoidable. Cases will be registered against family members who allow elderly people to go out for buying medicines and other essentials," she said.

Senior citizens, who live alone, can call either the Fire (101) or Police (100) departments for any help and to get things they need, the collector said.

Whatever relaxations were in place have also been withdrawn with effect from Thursday, she added.

Wayanad and Thiruvananthapuram come under the "Orange B" zone where there are some relaxations.

However, Thiruvananthapuram city limits falls under the hotspot area.

Police said a case was also registered against a doctor and her husband who entered Kerala from Tamil Nadu border.

New Delhi, Jan 27: Non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will have to provide proofs of their religious beliefs while applying for Indian citizenship under the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAA), officials said on Monday.

The applicants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain or Parsi faiths will also have to furnish documents to prove that they entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

Those who will seek Indian citizenship under the CAA will have to provide proofs of their religious beliefs and this will be mentioned in the rules to be issued under the CAA, a government official said.

According to the CAA, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants and will be given Indian citizenship.

The central government is also likely to give a relatively smaller window of just three months to those who want to apply for Indian citizenship in Assam under the CAA, another official said.

Some Assam-specific provisions are expected to be incorporated in the rules to be issued for the implementation of the CAA.

Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and his finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had made a request about a fortnight ago to keep a limited period window for applying under the CAA and also incorporate some other Assam-specific provisions in the CAA rules.

The move comes in view of continuing protests against the CAA in Assam that have been going on since the legislation was passed by Parliament in December last year.

There has been a growing feeling among the indigenous people of Assam that the newly enacted legislation will hurt their interests politically, culturally as well as socially.

The Assam Accord provides for detection and deportation of all illegal immigrants who have entered the country after 1971 and are living in the state, irrespective of their religion.

The protesters in Assam say that the CAA violates the provisions of the Assam Accord.

Mangalore, Mar 11: There everybody busy in hailing ‘Padmashree’ Harekala Hajabba. They wondered how an orange seller turned into an educationist with his grit and high objectives. However, the center of attraction- Harekala Hajabba was thinking how to transfer a cheque of rupees one lakh to a current account of his school!

Dakshina Kannada District Kannada and Culture Department had an interaction program with Harekala Hajabba at Ravindra Kalabhavana of University College Mangaluru on Wednesday. The department, as well as Dakshina Kannada District Bus Owners’ Association felicitated the achiever. They also honored Hajabba with a cash of rupees one lakh. Instantly, the man decided to utilize the amount for his school! 

In his address, Guruvappa N T Balepuni, who introduced Harekala Hajabba to society opined that with his simplicity, humbleness, moreover his service without any expectation, Hajabba is being respected everywhere. Though he is an illiterate, three universities have made his life as lessons for students. “He has kept around Rs 50-55 lakh, including his award money for the development of school. January 25, the day on which ‘Padmashree’ award has been declared to Hajabba is a memorable day for me too,” he added. 

Dakshina Kannada District Bus Owners’ Association President Dinram Alva and former president Jayaram Shekha opined that there is lot to learn from Hajabba and he is a model for the society. Recalling his old- harsher days, Hajabba said, “Parents should make mind to save government schools. A literate can achieve anything, he can lead the society,” he said and called upon for the communal harmony. 

Presiding over the function, Principal Dr. Uday Kumar M A said that Harekala Hajabba is best example how a pure-hearted man achieves any height, simplicity can make someone so rich. In his welcome speech District Kannada and Culture Department Deputy director Rajesh G, depicted Hajabba as ‘modern time Mahatma Gandhi’. Economics PG Coordinator Dr. Jayavantha Nayak and M.Com Coordinator Dr. Abobakkar Siddiq were present on the occasion.