Mangaluru (PTI): Activists of CPI(M) youth wing DYFI on Tuesday removed the gates of the newly built bridge connecting Harekala and Adyar in Dakshina Kannada district, opening it for movement of light vehicles.

The bridge-cum-vented dam across the Nethravati river had not been opened for traffic though the work on it was completed four months ago. The minor irrigation department has not yet issued an order to open the bridge on account of a stay order from the court.

The officials failed to keep their earlier promise of opening the bridge to vehicular movement on April 1. Though the officials reached there on Monday, they stopped short of opening the bridge as the election code of conduct is in force.

The DYFI activists later submitted a memorandum to the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner urging him to allow traffic on the bridge. As no action was taken till Tuesday, the activists, along with local people, removed the gates blocking access to the bridge on either side to allow vehicular movement.

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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.