The detained included a contractor of a stone crushing facility where the blast occurred when a truckload of gelatin sticks went off, police said.

BENGALURU: Two people have been detained and a high-level investigation ordered into the explosion in Shivamogga district which left at least six dead, police said on Friday.

The detained included a contractor of a stone crushing facility where the blast occured when a truckload of gelatin sticks went off, police added.

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa expressed grief over the loss of lives in the blast at the stone crusher facility at Hunasodu in Shivamogga, his home district.

A high-level investigation into the accident has been ordered and stringent action would be taken against the guilty, he said.

He said he had been in contact with senior officials since last night and dispatched teams to carry out rescue operations.

“My deepest condolences to the bereaved family members. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” the Chief Minister tweeted.

Meanwhile, the authorities have not ruled out the possibility of the death toll increasing.

“There are rumours that at least 10 to 15 people have died. Let the police complete their investigation,” Shivamogga Deputy Commissioner K B Shivakumar told PTI on Friday.

The sound of the blast, which was initially thought to be an earthquake, was heard in neighbouring Davangere, Chikkamagaluru and Uttara Kannada districts.

In Shivamogga, the effect was severe as some houses developed cracks, roof tiles and window panes shattered into pieces.

The vehicle was badly mangled and the bodies of the victims were dismembered beyond recognition.

Says review meeting to be held with officials once in two months as part of Mission 2022

BENGALURU: Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa directed officials of the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) to release additional engineers and lawyers who work with them, either on deputation or on contract. This move is said to streamline financial implication. The Chief Minister also directed BDA officials to take action against agents. 

In a review meeting, the CM said there are 24 additional engineers working with BDA on deputation. He directed officials to review and send them back to their parent departments. Similarly, there are 196 lawyers working in the BDA, and Yediyurappa directed that they also be reviewed, and those not working for any case, be released from the panel with immediate effect.

“Bengaluru is among the top cities of the world. The state government is committed to provide all facilities on par with global standards,” he added. The CM said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also given suggestions for the comprehensive development of Bengaluru.  “We have announced our ‘Bengaluru Mission 2022’… this review meeting is a part of that,’’ he said.

On farmers’ land, the CM said that he has directed officials to give residential sites to those farmers who offered their lands for residential layouts. He added that the sites will be given to them at their chosen locations. On the peripheral ring road, the CM said they have a plan to develop it at an estimated cost of Rs 21,091 crore with private partnership. The same has been approved, and will be done in the scheduled time. He also said that a review meeting will be held with BDA officials once in two months.

Bengaluru: The BJP government in Karnataka will not only complete its five year term but also return to power with absolute majority in the state,Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday.

According to him, lot of development works have been taking place in the state under the leadership of Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.

Shah advised the opposition leaders to work for the well-being of people instead of finding fault with the BJP.

“I have been reading the statements of Congress leaders that this will happen and that will happen in Karnataka but I want to tell everyone that the BJP government will not only complete the five year term but also return to power for five years with absolute majority,” Shah said.

He was speaking at the inauguration of police quarters in Bengaluru,besides virtual inauguration of the Indian Reserved Battalion at Vijayapura and the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) here.

The Centre and the state are committed to the development for Karnataka,Shah added.

The opposition Congress has been mocking Chief Minister Yediyurappa over dynasty politics allegations made against him by some BJP legislators after the cabinet expansion.

A few legislators had rebelled against Yediyurappa soon after the cabinet expansion on Wednesday after they were left out.

Referring to the coronavirus vaccination drive, Shah said the drive has begun in the country in a big way and the results will be visible in the next one or two months.

“India is leading the world in the fight against the virus under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he added.

Bengaluru: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday arrived in Karnataka on his two-day visit to the state. He was received at the airport by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa here in the city.

Yediyurappa who welcomed Shah at the HAL Airport presented flowers to him on his arrival.

Shah will attend various events in multiple districts of the state. Several road and traffic diversions have been put in place in the state capital in the wake of Shah’s visit to the city.

Mangaluru: Mangaluru Police Commissioner on Saturday while addressing a press conference added that one person has been arrested in connection with the case of setting beef stalls in Thokkottu on fire earlier last week.

Police Commissioner Shashi Kumar said the accused has been identified as Nagaraj (37), a resident of Thokkottu.

Police further said Nagaraj used to buy meat from same stall in the market and used to cook and consume it at a friends house.

His actions of setting the stall on fire was prompted by a recent incident when the vendor had refused to give him more quantity of beef.

On January 9, the accused reportedly purchased kerosene and set the stall on fire at around 2 am. He also informed his mother about his crime the same night, who rubbished his claims thinking he was drunk and was lying.

A case in this regard was registered at Ullal Police Station and a special team was formed to investigate the case. The police team collected CCTV footages around the area and zeroed down on Nagaraj, Commissioner said.

Mrs Lekha Ajith Was Crowned as IAWA Mrs India’ The Quarantine Queen 2020 [Season 2] and Women of substance 2020

By Husna Rizwan Managing Editor

Nasheman News: Mrs Lekha Ajith an Educator , Yoga trainer and handwriting Analysti from Kadogu district of Karnataka presenting residing at Pune was crowned as IAWA Mrs India’ The Quarantine Queen 2020 [Season 2] and Women of substance 2020. Out of 10 finalist who participated from the different states of the country Mrs lekha successfully entered the top 5 and Eventually won the crown.

The event was organised online due to Covid-19 Restriction by Dr Daljeet Kaur CEO IAWA MRS India pageants for married women.

Lekha is optimistic ambitious and hardworking lady her motto is to work for the women empowerment and focus on the less privileged women and children.MRS Lekha has made her state her parents and her family very proud by Becoming Mrs IAWA 2020 [Season 2]

Mrs Lekha Ajith Crowned as IAWA Mrs India’ The Quarantine Queen 2020 [Season 2]and Women of substance 2020