Vijayanagar: In a tragic incident near Vyasanakere on the outskirts of Hospet, seven members of the same family tragically lost their lives in a serial accident involving two lorries and a cruiser while returning home from a temple visit.

The deceased have been identified as Uma (45), Kenchavva (80), Bhagya (32), Anil (30), Gonibasappa (65), Yuvaraja (4), Bhimalinga (50). Meanwhile, two people were injured in the accident.

The family, hailing from Hospet Ukkada Keri, had been visiting the Koolahalli Goni Basaveshwara temple in Harapanahalli taluk when their cruiser vehicle collided with two lorries, informed the police.

BENGALURU: After the state transport department was flooded with multiple queries from the public, regarding affixation of the High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP), the department issued a public notice detailing the step-by-step process flow.

Those who own vehicles registered prior to April 1, 2019, can visit either of the following websites: transport.karnataka.gov.in or siam.in to book your HSRP affixation. Choose the vehicle manufacturer, fill in the vehicle details, choose the dealer location as per convenience, and pay the HSRP fee online. Following payment, an OTP will be sent to the vehicle owner, and the owner can choose the date and time of affixation. A person can either visit the vehicle manufacturer/dealer or choose to get it done at his home or office as per convenience.

He also warned the public against fake HSRP plates that look similar to the original ones, and reminded people that the deadline for HSRP affixation is November 17. Failing to do so can attract fines.”
Switch to HSRP is easy: Assn

The state government had issued orders on August 17, 2023, however, so far only around 20,000 have come forward and made the change. “Awareness is low, and many people are worried of the authentic hologram, authentic dealer and even where to go. Citizens can just choose the time slot that suits them for getting the number plate changed from any authorised dealer, or even get it done at their home or office space,” said Sudhir Goel, executive member and spokesperson of Association of Registration Plates Manufacturers of India. 

He said there are 4,000 authorised two- and four-wheeler dealers in Karnataka, recognised by the transport department for changing the number plates. In case of two-wheelers, there will be two HSRP, and three in case of three- and four-wheelers, it is three, the third HSRP sticker is placed on the wind shield, for traffic cameras, he added. 

Step by step

•  Login to Transport.karnataka.gov.in or Siam.in
•  Choose the vehicle manufacturer
•  Fill in the vehicle details
•  Choose preferred dealer location
•  Make online payment 
•  Receive OTP 
•  Fix a date for affixation

CHIKKAMAGALURU: With an increase in the number of Nipah cases in Kerala, the district administration and district general hospital are taking cautious steps to tackle the spread of virus by taking necessary precautionary measures.

With the scare of Nipah virus looming large over the district and the Malnad area being adjacent to the coastal district, the administration has banned the entry of tourists from Kerala. Owners of resorts, homestays and hotels have been suggested not to allow the entry of these tourists.

On the other hand, the hill ranges of Mullayyanagiri and Seetalayyanagiri have been beckoning visitors from different states and large numbers of people through package agencies are visiting the district. On the other hand, with bats being the carriers of the virus, local residents urged the administration to translocate bats that roost in trees. Social activist Sundaresh stressed the need to dispel fear in the minds of citizens and educate them to take preventive steps. 

Meanwhile, district surgeon of Malle Gowda District General Hospital Dr Mohan Kumar said that there is no need to panic as no cases are reported in the district but as a precautionary measure, 6 beds equipped with ventilator and oxygen facility have been kept in the special ward. Suggesting the public not to eat half-bitten fruits by bats, he advised people to take preliminary treatment.

Chamarajnagar: In a heartbreaking incident a 24-year-old woman named Megha, residing in Bommanahalli village of Terakanambi hobli in Gundlupet taluk, allegedly took her own life and the lives of her two young daughters late Thursday night.

The victims have been identified as Megha and her two daughters, Punvitha (6) and Manvitha (3). Preliminary investigations suggest that Megha, who was believed to be under severe mental stress due to alleged harassment by her husband, Dhananjaya, and her in-laws, may have resorted to this extreme step.

The family of the deceased woman has accused her in-laws of subjecting her to prolonged harassment, dating back to eight years ago when Megha and Dhananjaya were married. A video clip found on Megha’s mobile phone reveals a disturbing altercation that occurred within her household throughout the day leading up to the tragic incident on Thursday.

The local authorities have taken custody of her phone, which contains the video clip as potential evidence in the case.

CHITRADURGA: Five passengers died and eight sustained injuries in an accident between a KKRTC bus and a truck near Gollahalli Gate of Hiriyur taluk on the Bidar-Chamarajnagar NH-150A on Monday. 

The deceased are identified as Ravi (23) and Narsanna (5) from Raichur; Paravatamma (50) from Bengaluru, Mabamma (35) and Ramesh (28), said Superintendent of Police Dharmender Kumar Meena. Out of the eight injured, five have been admitted to the Chitradurga district hospital and three are being treated at Challakere General Hospital. 

Passengers stated that the KKRTC driver was rash and overspeeding. Prima facie, he attempted to overtake a truck, thereby crashing into it. The bus was on its way to Bengaluru from Raichur when the accident occurred. The bus hit the truck at the rear. 

Meanwhile, the bus driver has been taken into custody for investigation. Aymangala police registered a complaint and are investigating the incident.

Talapady: A 36-year-old man named Harish, also known as Hari Prasad Acharya, reportedly drowned while swimming in a pond on Monday in Talapady.

Harisha was a resident of Durgipalla and worked as a welder.

He was unmarried and had a history of alcohol addiction, and he reportedly had not been at home for the past four days.

Harisha and his friends Yuvraj (Munna), Lohit, Naveen Devadiga, and Nitesh Uchil went to a nearby pond in a private layout for a swim. Unfortunately, Harisha allegedly drowned in the pond, leading to his death.

Fire brigade personnel arrived at the scene and retrieved Harisha’s body from the pond. The Ullal police transported the body for post-mortem examination. The police have initiated an investigation into the incident.

Udupi: A tragic incident occurred at Udupi District Hospital where a patient lost his life after falling in the bathroom on the evening of August 26.

The deceased has been identified as Suresha Ramgonda, a 36-year-old man and the son of Rama Thimmappagonda from Bhatkal. Suresha had been admitted to Ajjarakad Government Hospital on August 24 due to a fever. He worked as a cook at SS Residence Hotel in Udupi.

During his stay at the hospital, Suresha collapsed in the hospital bathroom. Unfortunately, he sustained serious injuries from the fall and passed away before receiving medical treatment.

A case regarding this incident has been registered at Udupi City Police Station.

Mangaluru:In a concerted effort to bolster security measures, Mangaluru International Airport has taken a significant stride by procuring and delivering a state-of-the-art bomb suit to the Airport Security Group (ASG) of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). This proactive move aligns with the airport operator’s commitment to equipping the central armed police force, responsible for safeguarding this crucial national installation, with cutting-edge security apparatus. Moreover, this initiative addresses a mandate highlighted by the civil aviation security regulator.

The bomb detection and disposal squad within ASG will utilize the newly-acquired bomb suit to effectively counter any potential security threat involving explosives within the airport premises. This development not only empowers ASG personnel trained in explosives management with heightened confidence but also offers them essential protection to handle emergent security challenges. The availability of an extensive range of bomb detection and disposal equipment on-site also equips them to promptly address threats.

In December of the preceding year, the airport had previously handed over the initial set of equipment to the bomb detection and disposal squad of the ASG unit. This move was a continuation of the airport operator’s commitment, which earlier last year, included providing the ASG unit with a bullet-resistant vehicle. In line with this approach, the airport recently augmented the existing barracks to accommodate the increased strength of CISF personnel entrusted with ensuring around-the-clock security for the facility.

All these measures firmly align with the Vision 2025 established by the airport, aimed at transforming it into a preeminent hub characterized by safety, security, customer-centricity, and environmental consciousness. An airport spokesperson emphasized, “In a recent meeting with the CISF’s senior leadership, the airport management reiterated its dedication to procure and furnish additional essential equipment required by the ASG unit to execute its responsibilities effectively.”

BENGALURU: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday said 10 TMC of Cauvery river water will be released to the neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

He, however, said Karnataka does not have adequate water in its reservoir.

Asked when the water would be released, he said already the Karnataka government is on the job.

Meanwhile, former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said Karnataka should not release the Cauvery water because Tamil Nadu has overused the water on its crops.

Tamil Nadu was supposed to use 32 TMC on 1.8 lakh hectares but it increased the cropping area by four times, Bommai said adding that the Karnataka government officials did not protest.

VIJAYAPURA:  Despite scanty rainfall, the Almatti Dam, one of the largest reservoirs in the state, filled up to the brim on Wednesday evening. The water level reached the dam’s maximum of 519.60 metre and the total storage capacity of 123.081 tmcft.

Inflow into the dam began only on July 12. To fill various small dams and tanks as a precautionary measure, water is being discharged from the crest gates. The Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam Ltd (KBJNL) started releasing water into canals from July 27 and will continue to do so in a regulated manner till November 23.

On Thursday, the dam received 2,153 tmcft of water and all of it was discharged. Due to heavy rain in Maharashtra and the Western Ghats in the last week of July, the dam has been receiving over 1.5 lakh cusecs of water every day. With the inflow declining from the first week of August, the outflow was also reduced to store water to fill up the dam.

Meanwhile, the newly constituted Irrigation Consultative Committee (ICC), which will regulate and monitor water release for irrigation purposes, is scheduled to hold its first meeting on Monday at the Managing Director’s office of Upper Krishna Project in Almatti.

The meeting will be chaired by Excise Minister RB Timmapur, who is also ICC chairman. MLAs and MPs of riparian taluks of dams are members of the committee. MLAs, MLCs and MPs of Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Koppal, Raichur, Yadgir and Kalaburagi too are members.