Jokatte: Houses are facing threat as hills tumbling down
►High tension wires also posing threat ►Residents vacating their houses during nights
Mangaluru, September 2: In recent days, a hill near Jokatte on the border of Kenjaru gram panchayat and Thokuru 62 is collapsing. As a result, four-five houses nearby the hill are facing the threat. Meanwhile, the KPTCL has erected a high tension power line tower on the same hill and the collapse of the tower cannot be ruled out if the hill tumbled down. Because of this fear, the residents have been staying in their relatives houses during nights. But neither the district administration nor the elected representatives took it seriously, people alleged.
A big hill is situated just beside the railway track at Jokatte. The high tension power line which pases to MRPL from Kavoor passed on the same hill and a tower is also situated on the hill. Though there is a retention wall in the bottom of the hill, the hill is slowing sliding down due to which, the retention wall developed a crack. This has created panic among people in the nearby houses.
The high tension wire passed on a private school and if the tower collapsed, the wires would fall on the school building inviting danger. The KPTCL is playing with the life of the students, the local people alleged.
“A 110 kv power line is passed through this tower from Kavoor to MRPL. We came to know about the problem just two days before. Suddenly, we disconnected the power and planning for alternative arrangement. Besides repairing the towers, we will also erect new towers if needed. But it will take minimum 47 days. We will see to it that the local people will not get any trouble”.
-Anil, KPTCL officer, Mangaluru
“People have been finding it difficult to live there for the last few days. We have informed the officials concerned. Based on that, the officers have disconnected the power and started their work after Thursday afternoon. The authorities should find solution to the problem as early as possible”.
-Muneer Katipalla, DYFI state president
“Heavy rain has been lashing the region for the last couple of days due to which, the hill is sliding. We are in the danger situation. If the hill is collapsed further, then we will have further problem. Women, children and aged people are there. Where shall we take them?”
-Abdul Kareem, resident
“We will not in a position to stay at home regularly. We can spend day time, but it is difficult to assume what will happen during night. We have informed the KPTCL and gram panchayat authorities about this issue. But nothing is done”.
-Abdul Khadar, Jokatte
“Literally, we are counting our days. We cannot stay in our homes during nights. So, we are going to our relatives houses to sleep. None of the authorities have responded to our problems so far. Neither the officials nor the elected representatives turned towards it”.
Abubakar Bava, resident
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Andhra Pradesh Police search for director Ram Gopal Varma over offensive posts against Andhra CM
Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh Police are actively searching for film director Ram Gopal Varma after he failed to appear for questioning in connection with a case filed against him for allegedly posting offensive and morphed images of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and their family members on social media.
The case was registered at Maddipadu Police Station in Prakasam district on November 11, with the complainant Ramalingam alleging that Varma's posts undermined the reputation of the leaders and caused personal harm.
Three police teams—two in Hyderabad and one in Tamil Nadu—have been deployed to locate Varma. One team is currently in Chennai, another is at his residence in Hyderabad, and the third is searching in Film Nagar. Police officials reported that Varma’s phone is switched off, complicating their efforts.
According to Prakasam District Superintendent of Police (SP) A.R. Damodar, Varma had been issued two notices and was given until November 24 to cooperate with the investigation. However, he failed to appear, leading to intensified search efforts.
Varma’s lawyer has argued that physical presence is not required and has requested that the investigation proceed in a virtual format under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The lawyer stated that Varma had communicated his willingness to cooperate digitally but alleged that police had not responded to his requests.
SP Damodar criticised the director's approach, stating, "Without appearing for the investigation, how can Varma suggest a virtual probe?" He confirmed that police are pursuing all legal avenues to ensure compliance.
Varma, who had earlier requested additional time due to prior commitments, was summoned for investigation on November 25 but failed to attend. Police have stated that further legal action will follow if he continues to remain uncooperative.
