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Six wells turn black, flammable in Karnataka village; probe on

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Sirci : Residents of Omkara Nagar in Dodnalli village of Sirsi taluk in Uttara Kannada district are facing an unusual and alarming water contamination problem, with water in around six wells reportedly turning black and catching fire when exposed to a flame. Villagers said an oily layer had formed on the surface of the well water, which also emits a smell similar to petrol or diesel. In a disturbing demonstration, a piece of paper dipped in the water reportedly caught fire when a matchstick was applied. Residents said the problem persisted even after the wells were emptied, as oil-contaminated water continued to seep back in. The development has raised serious concerns among families who depend on these wells for their daily water requirements. After noticing the contamination, residents alerted gram panchayat officials, who visited the locality and confirmed the presence of an oily substance on the water surface. Water samples from the affected wells have been collecte...

Shivamogga student secures all-India first rank in NDA exam

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Bengaluru : An 18-year-old engineering student from Karnataka has achieved a remarkable milestone by topping the National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance examination across the country. Shreya N Gowda, a native of Bhadravathi in Shivamogga district, secured the all-India first rank in the examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), succeeding in her maiden attempt. Her achievement is the culmination of a dream she nurtured from childhood. While studying in Class 8, Shreya learnt that women were eligible to join the NDA and decided to work towards a career in the armed forces. She had set her sights on securing a position among the top 10, but her performance exceeded her own expectations. Shreya studied at BGS Central School in Karehalli, Bhadravathi, until Class 10 and secured the top position in her taluk. She then moved to Bengaluru for her pre-university course at BASE PU College in Rajajinagar. Her preparation for the JEE examination strengthened h...

Bengaluru killings: Victims’ jewellery used to dispose of bodies

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Bengaluru : Investigators probing the murder of seven members of a family allegedly by Indushekhar have found that the accused pawned and sold jewellery taken from the bodies of his wife and mother-in-law to finance the transportation and disposal of the victims’ remains. According to police sources, the accused removed bloodstained ornaments from the bodies, washed them and subsequently pledged some of them at jewellery shops. The money was allegedly used to meet expenses connected with the crimes. He reportedly sold some other ornaments to buy diesel for his car, which was used to transport the bodies, while the remaining jewellery was handed over to his daughter. The investigation has also established that the accused travelled extensively to dispose of the bodies. He allegedly drove from Bengaluru to Mangaluru and returned, later travelled to Chennai and subsequently went to Nandi Hills. Between October 16 and November 3, he allegedly murdered seven members of ...

Siddaramaiah skips Rahul’s event, fuels Congress discord speculation

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Bengaluru : Fresh signs of unease within the Karnataka Congress have emerged after former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah skipped a Diwali friendship gathering hosted by Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Friday, November 6, despite being invited. His absence comes amid the controversy surrounding an alleged sting operation against him and has fuelled speculation about strained relations with the party high command. Siddaramaiah is believed to be displeased with the way the state government has dealt with the investigation into the sting operation. He had reportedly expressed his concerns to Rahul Gandhi as well. His decision not to attend the Delhi event has prompted questions about whether he is indirectly conveying his displeasure to the central leadership. Adding to the political debate, Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra Siddaramaiah claimed that the mobile network associated with the person behind the sting video had been traced to Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy ‘s residence i...

Forest officials ignoring medical waste dumping, say activists

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Gundlupet: Allegations that hazardous medical waste from Keralam hospitals is being illegally dumped along National Highway 766 near Gundlupet have sparked anger among residents and activists, who fear the consequences for public health and the environment. The waste is reportedly being thrown near Bolu Gudda in the Bandipur forest area by goods vehicles returning from Keralam. Lorries and vehicles that transport vegetables and other commodities are allegedly unloading the waste along the highway before disappearing. Activists said the dumping had continued despite the presence of police and forest department checkposts at Moolehole and Maddur. Muneer Pasha warned that the foul smell emanating from the waste had become a cause for concern, particularly for villagers living nearby, who fear possible infections. Ashok alleged that enforcement agencies had failed to prevent the movement and disposal of the waste. He pointed out that members of the public had previously caugh...

Diwali Rush: Private buses charge 8 times more in Bengaluru

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Bengaluru: Diwali travel has turned into an expensive affair for thousands of people leaving Bengaluru for their hometowns, with private bus operators sharply increasing ticket prices. Fares on several popular routes have risen two to three times, and in some cases substantially more, compared with regular days. Amid growing passenger demand, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has announced 2,600 additional buses to facilitate festival travel. The Kempegowda Bus Station at Majestic witnessed a heavy rush on Friday, November 6, as people began travelling to their native places ahead of the festival, which begins on Sunday, November 8. KSRTC Chief Traffic Manager Prabhakar Reddy said additional buses had been arranged to cater to the increased passenger movement. “From today, 2,600 additional vehicles will operate from Bengaluru to various destinations within Karnataka and outside the state. These services will depart from Kempegowda Bus Sta...

Samples in Karnataka show over 30 pc ethanol in E20 fuel: Minister

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Bengaluru: Congress minister Rizwan Arshad has alleged that petrol samples collected from seven districts in Karnataka contained ethanol in excess of the prescribed 20 percent blend, raising concerns over fuel quality, vehicle performance and consumer rights. Citing test results, Arshad claimed that samples collected from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) outlets showed ethanol content of 31.2 per cent and 30.5 per cent, respectively. He alleged that the findings indicated a serious violation of standards and called for immediate intervention by the authorities. Describing the alleged excess blending as a breach of public trust, the minister demanded strict action against the oil marketing companies if the violations were established. He said consumers should not be made to bear the financial burden of problems arising from fuel that does not conform to declared specifications. #WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: On the ...