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Kolar: Mango growers in Karnataka’s premier mango-producing belt of Kolar district have threatened to call for a district-wide bandh on Monday, June 22, if the state government fails to announce a minimum support price (MSP) for the fruit. The farmers, reeling under a sharp decline in mango prices over the past four weeks, have demanded that the government follow the Andhra Pradesh model and provide immediate relief. Growers, traders, mandi owners, farmer organisations and several other groups have extended support to the proposed bandh, particularly in Srinivaspur, one of the state’s largest mango-producing regions. The demand comes amid a severe crash in mango prices, with growers claiming that they are being forced to sell their produce at throwaway rates. According to farmers, a tonne of mangoes is currently fetching only Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 in the market, far below the cost of production. They have urged the government to announce a minimum support price ...

Bengaluru: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has uncovered an alleged network supplying unlicensed and suspected adulterated milk from neighbouring Tamil Nadu to tea stalls, coffee shops, bakeries and hotels in Bengaluru. In a coordinated operation conducted on Sunday morning, officials intercepted and inspected more than 30 milk tankers and transport vehicles at key checkpoints along the Karnataka- Tamil Nadu border. The crackdown was launched after authorities noticed that milk was being sold in Bengaluru’s open market at prices significantly lower than those fixed by the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF). Suspecting irregularities, a special team led by Viswanath V.R., Assistant Commissioner of FSSAI’s Bengaluru South Division, carried out inspections at the Hoskote, Attibele and Hosur checkpoints, according to reports. Also Read Hyderabad ranks lowest food hygiene standards among major cities During the operation, officials found that the milk...

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has decided to establish a dedicated Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Department to address the concerns of overseas Kannadigas and strengthen their engagement with the state. The decision was taken following a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar with heads of more than 10 NRI organisations. The proposed department will focus on resolving issues faced by Kannadigas living abroad while also facilitating investment mobilisation, skill development, employment generation, trade promotion and access to healthcare services. According to officials, the department is being designed on the lines of similar initiatives implemented in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Punjab, which have dedicated mechanisms to support their diaspora communities. One of the key objectives of the new department will be to assist overseas Kannadigas facing legal issues, passport-related problems and emergencies such as death or repatriation. Dedicated grievance ...

Bengaluru: What was once a dried-up, neglected and encroached patch of land on the outskirts of Bengaluru has been transformed into a thriving water body, thanks to the efforts of environmentalist Gurunandan Rao and thousands of volunteers working towards lake and pond conservation. When Gurunandan first visited Bikkanahalli Kunte, the pond had virtually disappeared. Years of neglect had left it buried under layers of silt, debris and invasive growth. Encroachments had reduced its size and functionality, while the absence of water had stripped the ecosystem of its natural character. The restoration journey was not as simple as bringing in excavation equipment. Before any physical work could begin, Gurunandan and his team spent nearly seven months securing permissions, coordinating with government agencies, engaging local residents and addressing encroachments around the pond. Only after completing these procedures was the team able to start restoration work. In the early h...

Belagavi: In a tragic development linked to the sensational murder case of a former soldier for an alleged Rs 2 crore insurance claim, the mother of the prime accused has died by suicide in Belagavi district. The deceased has been identified as Mahadevi Badami (65), a resident of Ghodageri village in Hukkeri taluk. According to police, she allegedly ended her life by hanging herself inside her house when no family members were present. Also Read Belagavi horror: Wife, lover accused of poisoning ex-soldier Investigators suspect that Mahadevi was deeply distressed following the arrest of her daughter, Suma Manjargi, who is one of the key accused in the murder of her husband, former soldier Sandeep Kalagouda Manjargi (46). Police said Suma, along with her alleged lover Pundalik Dombar and several others, was arrested after an investigation revealed a conspiracy to murder Sandeep and claim insurance benefits worth ₹2 crore. The accused had allegedly attempted to portray t...

Madikeri: A case involving the alleged forced religious conversion of a nine-year-old boy has triggered widespread outrage in Kodagu district, with police launching an investigation and arresting two persons in connection with the incident. According to the complaint, the child, a resident of Kushalnagar, was allegedly taken to a mosque in Kerala’s Malappuram district along with his mother, where he was reportedly subjected to circumcision and converted to another faith without the consent of his father. Case registered The boy’s father, Rajeev, has accused two men, identified as Salim and Jaleel, of influencing his wife, Sachita (also referred to in some reports as Sajida), and facilitating the alleged conversion. Based on his complaint, Kushalnagar police have registered a case and arrested the two accused. As per the allegations, Sachita had been working as a saleswoman at a shop in the Nisargadhama Tourist Centre area, where she came into contact with t...

Mysuru: For 59-year-old Bhagya, a long-cherished dream finally came true after spending three decades producing the world-famous Mysore Silk sarees. The Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) employee from T Narasipura, who has worked at the silk filature unit for nearly 30 years, recently purchased her first-ever Mysore Silk saree, an achievement she describes as one of the happiest moments of her life. The opportunity came after KSIC offered Mysore Silk sarees to its employees at concessional rates. The initiative was introduced to honour workers who recently fought to protect the T Narasipura silk unit from losing its land to a proposed sports stadium project. Earlier, the state government had ordered the transfer of five acres of KSIC land for stadium construction. Concerned that the move could threaten the future of the historic silk unit and the livelihoods of hundreds of workers, employees launched a protest demanding that the order be withdrawn. A total of 202 w...

Bengaluru:  A CID inspector has gone into hiding after allegedly masterminding the robbery of Rs 20 lakh from Kerala-based businessmen at a hotel in Madiwala, using an official police vehicle and his own identity card to pull off what the victims initially believed was a legitimate police operation. The accused, CID Inspector Mahesh Kanakagiri, is absconding. One of his four alleged accomplices, Kupendra, was arrested on Wednesday, June 17, and his statement during interrogation is said to have cracked the case open. Also Read Former rowdy’s misconduct costs Haliyal PSI job, 8 cops shifted How the robbery unfolded The Kerala businessmen had checked into a private hotel in Madiwala carrying cash for trading purposes. According to investigators, Kanakagiri received a tip-off about the men and the money they were carrying and hatched a plan with four associates identified as Harris, Kupendra, Shafi and Shani. An official CID jeep was parked outside the hotel...

Bengaluru: A major accident was reported at a sewage treatment plant in Belagere near Varthur on the outskirts of Bengaluru, where two workers went missing after falling into a deep treatment tank while carrying out maintenance work on Thursday, June 18. Rescue teams are continuing an intensive search operation to trace the missing men. According to preliminary information, three workers had entered a tank nearly 40 feet deep at the BWSSB sewage treatment facility when they reportedly lost balance and fell inside. One worker was rescued, while two others identified as Brijesh from Bihar and Akhilesh from Tamil Nadu remain unaccounted for. Fire and Emergency Services personnel, along with police officials, rushed to the spot and launched rescue efforts. Authorities suspect the workers may have been trapped inside the tank due to the hazardous conditions prevailing within the facility. The treatment plant stores lakhs of litres of sewage water and receives drainage from sev...

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada district is witnessing an unusually weak start to the southwest monsoon, prompting authorities to initiate water conservation measures at the Thumbe dam amid concerns over future drinking water availability. The district, known for receiving heavy rainfall during June, has recorded a substantial shortfall this year. As a result, all gates of the Thumbe dam, which supplies drinking water to Mangaluru, have been closed to preserve water reserves. Data released by the District Disaster Management Authority shows that the district received only 3.3 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours against the normal average of 36.5 mm. The cumulative rainfall figures are equally worrying. Between January 1 and June 17, Dakshina Kannada received only 390.7 mm rainfall compared to the normal expectation of 668.7 mm, indicating a major rainfall deficit across the district. All taluks have reported significantly lower rainfall than during the same period last ye...

Bengaluru : In a significant development, a Bengaluru court has granted interim relief to Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party president Konidela Pawan Kalyan by restraining the circulation of alleged defamatory content against him on social media platforms. The 16th City Civil Court passed the order on Wednesday while hearing a civil suit filed on behalf of Pawan Kalyan by his General Power of Attorney holder, Ram Prasad Talluri. The court directed social media entities including X Corp, Google India and Meta Inc., along with their employees, agents and associates, not to publish, upload, transmit or circulate any content that allegedly contains defamatory statements, accusations or video clips concerning the Andhra Pradesh leader until the next date of hearing. Also Read Pawan Kalyan fulfils wish of Telangana teen with rare disorder The order also specifically covers content linked to allegations that Pawan Kalyan had encroached upon government...

Bengaluru : A tragic incident claimed the life of a five-year-old boy and left another child seriously injured after a compound wall and iron gate collapsed on them while they were playing in north Bengaluru’s Bagalur police station limits. The deceased child has been identified as Afeen (5), son of Dawal Sab, a native of Yadgir district . The family had recently come to Bengaluru in search of better employment opportunities. According to police, Dawal Sab, a cab driver by profession, had been looking for work in the city. His wife and son Afeen had arrived in Bengaluru just five days ago and were staying at the residence of a relative in Bandikodigehalli under the Bagalur police station jurisdiction. Also Read Mysuru’s young men give second chance of life to injured tortoise The accident occurred at around 6.30 pm on Wednesday when Afeen was playing with neighbouring children, including a girl identified as Samanvi, near the compound gate of a house belongi...

Karwar: A viral video showing a former rowdy-sheeter allegedly threatening and abusing police personnel in Haliyal has led to disciplinary action against a senior police officer and several staff members in Uttara Kannada district. PSI Basavaraj Mabanur has been suspended by Uttara Kannada SP Deepak after the video purportedly showed him remaining seated inside a police vehicle while a former rowdy known as “Machchu Manja” verbally abused and physically intimidated police personnel in public. The incident reportedly took place on Sunday, June 14, near Maurya Bar and Restaurant in Haliyal. Witnesses said the accused was allegedly intoxicated and creating a disturbance when police personnel arrived at the scene. Also Read Bengaluru cops go to Jaipur to make arrest, get caught for bribe Instead of calming down, the former rowdy allegedly became aggressive, abused the officers in filthy language and even grabbed one policeman by the collar. The video, which qui...

Bengaluru : The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to transform highway maintenance across the country by adopting a technology-driven Predictive Asset Management Framework that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI), drones and advanced data analytics to identify road defects before they become major safety hazards. The initiative aims to shift from reactive repairs to proactive maintenance by detecting potholes, cracks and structural weaknesses at an early stage. According to NHAI, the new framework will help improve road quality, extend the lifespan of highway infrastructure and reduce long-term maintenance costs. As part of the initiative, NHAI is deploying Network Survey Vehicles (NSVs) to assess the condition of national highways . These specialised vehicles will collect detailed information on road surface irregularities, potholes, cracks and structural damage, enabling authorities to take corrective action before problems worsen. Also Read Liquor sales...

Hassan : A severe shortage of monsoon rainfall in Karnataka’s Malnad region has triggered concern among farmers and residents dependent on the Hemavathi Reservoir, a key water source for several districts. The reservoir, which supplies drinking water and irrigation to large parts of southern Karnataka, is witnessing a significant decline in storage levels due to poor rainfall in its catchment areas. The Hemavathi River, which usually receives substantial inflows from heavy rains in Sakleshpur and Belur taluks of Hassan district and Mudigere taluk of Chikkamagaluru district, has failed to gain momentum this year. The weak monsoon has raised fears of a looming water crisis if rainfall does not improve in the coming weeks. The Hemavathi Reservoir near Gorur has a total storage capacity of 37 TMC. However, current water levels stand at just 14 TMC, of which only around 10 TMC is considered usable. In contrast, the reservoir held nearly 25 TMC of water on the same date last y...

Mangaluru : Mangaluru International Airport has achieved a major milestone in aviation safety with the successful commissioning of the Precision Approach Lighting (PAL) Category-I system for Runway 24 following approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The development is expected to significantly enhance operational safety and improve landing precision, especially during low-visibility conditions. In a statement issued on Monday, Mangaluru International Airport Limited (MgIAL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), said the advanced lighting system has been designed to provide pilots with enhanced visual guidance during the critical final stages of landing. The technology is particularly beneficial for operations at Mangaluru’s tabletop airport, where precise landing procedures are crucial. According to airport officials, the PAL Category-I system will help pilots maintain better situational awareness during adverse weather conditions, thereby...

Koppal: A Shivalinga discovered in a private farmland in Koppal has sparked widespread curiosity, with the landowner claiming that its discovery was foretold in a dream and that it is destined to be handed over to Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. The sacred idol was reportedly unearthed in the agricultural land of businessman Vipin Kumar near Basapura in Koppal district. According to him, he experienced a vivid dream in which he was instructed to present a Shivalinga found on his property to the Chief Minister, who is widely known for his devotion to Lord Shiva. The following day, a farm worker named Jadiyappa allegedly discovered the stone idol while carrying out routine work in the field. Since its discovery, the Shivalinga has been preserved with care, attracting visitors and devotees from nearby areas. Residents have also reported frequent sightings of a cobra near the site, adding a layer of mystique to the incident. Many villagers believe the presence of the ...

Bengaluru : Ramanagara MLA Iqbal Hussain suffered a heart attack and has been admitted to a private hospital in Bengaluru for treatment. According to available information, the Congress legislator was rushed to Vaidehi Hospital after experiencing health complications. Hospital sources said that Iqbal Hussain is responding positively to treatment and is currently out of danger. A team of doctors is closely monitoring his condition and providing necessary medical care. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar visited Vaidehi Hospital and enquired about the MLA’s health. He interacted with doctors and family members to assess Hussain’s condition and wished him a speedy recovery. Also Read Anant Ambani offers special prayers at Kollur Mookambika Temple The sudden health scare has triggered concern among Congress leaders and supporters in Ramanagara district. Several party workers and well-wishers have been gathering at the hospital and seeking updates on his recovery. ...

Udupi : After Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay’s recent visit to the renowned Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple, another high-profile devotee arrived at the sacred shrine on Sunday. Industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s son, Anant Ambani visited the temple and offered special prayers to Goddess Mookambika. Anant Ambani arrived at the temple accompanied by his family’s close spiritual guru and participated in various religious rituals and special poojas conducted at the sanctum. Temple authorities made arrangements for the visit, during which he sought the blessings of the presiding deity. The visit attracted the attention of devotees and visitors present at the temple premises. Anant Ambani spent some time at the shrine participating in the religious ceremonies before interacting briefly with temple officials. Also Read Nirmala Sitharaman joins cleanliness drive in Bengaluru Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple, one of the most revered pilgrimage centres in South India, regularly attr...

Bengaluru : In a tragic incident, two children drowned after accidentally falling into a farm pond at Togarihatta village in Doddaballapur taluk of Bengaluru Rural district. The victims have been identified as Daksha (11) and Dhanush (4), who reportedly ventured out to play while their parents were away from home. According to police, the children were playing near an agricultural field when they accidentally slipped into the farm pond. Since no one was present nearby, the incident went unnoticed for some time. Family members and villagers later launched a search after the children could not be found. Their bodies were subsequently recovered from the pond. The heartbreaking incident has left the village in shock, with grieving family members breaking down after losing the young children. Residents said the tragedy could perhaps have been avoided if proper safety measures had been in place around the water body. Also Read Not just Hyderabad, heavy rains lash neighbouring ...