US student detained at Chennai Airport for carrying banned satellite phone
Chennai: A 22-year-old American student was detained at Chennai International Airport in the early hours of Thursday after airport security found a banned satellite phone in his luggage. The device, prohibited in India due to national security concerns, was detected during a routine baggage scan as the student prepared to board a flight to Singapore.
The student, identified as Oakley Jackson, had arrived in Chennai from Delhi the previous week on a tourist visa. He was en route to Australia via Singapore on a Scoot Airlines flight scheduled to depart at 12:30 am. Airport officials discovered the satellite phone during final checks before boarding.
Jackson reportedly told officials he was unaware of Indian laws prohibiting satellite phones and claimed he had carried the device from the United States without encountering issues in Delhi or Chennai earlier.
However, airport authorities rejected his explanation. His flight ticket was cancelled, and the device was confiscated. Jackson was handed over to airport police for further questioning. A senior official emphasised that satellite phones can bypass conventional communication systems, making their unauthorised use a potential security threat.
Police are investigating whether the device was used during Jackson’s stay in India and whether he contacted anyone through it. Possession of a satellite phone without prior clearance from the Department of Telecommunications is a punishable offence under Indian law. Authorities have repeatedly advised foreign nationals to declare such equipment and seek necessary permissions before entry.
The US Consulate in Chennai has been informed and is expected to extend consular assistance to Jackson. He remains in custody while the investigation continues. Further action will depend on whether misuse of the device is established.
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Karnataka School Edu Dept prohibits children from being made to dance to obscene songs
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka School Education Department has issued a circular strictly prohibiting children from being made to dance to obscene songs in educational and cultural programmes.
It stated that such dances would negatively impact students' mental health and moral values. It will create indiscipline and harm the sanctity of education.
"All the Deputy Directors (Administration) of the state's School Education Department have been asked to take strict measures to prevent children or students from dancing to obscene songs in all government, aided and unaided schools in the state," the office of the commissioner of the School Education Department said in a recent circular.
"If it is found that children are being made to dance to obscene songs, appropriate action will be taken against the headmaster or management of such school," it added.
The department also listed certain measures in this regard, which include: strictly prohibiting children from being made to dance to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes; selecting songs that are inspiring, positive, instilling national pride in children and reflecting the greatness, dignity, values, culture, and morality of the state.
Stating that the school headmaster and management are responsible for selecting songs and dances for cultural programmes, it said, they should also ensure that students wear decent clothes in dance or cultural programmes.
