Safety Advisory issued for Belthangady schools after leopard sightings
Mangaluru: Schools in Belthangady taluk have been ordered to implement tight safety precautions following reports of leopard movement in the area. Authorities have urged for heightened vigilance to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Belthangady Block Education Officer Tarakesari issued a circular to all schools, according to the Times of India, after teachers and parents voiced concern over the taluk's regular leopard sightings.
The advisory puts collective responsibility for student safety on teachers and school managements and outlines protocols for commuting, supervision and campus movement.
Schools have also been instructed to ensure that children travel to and from school with their parents as far as possible and to formally communicate safety measures to families. Parents have been advised to send children from home in a manner that allows them to reach school by 9.30 am, while students must be released at 4.20 pm under parental responsibility. Head teachers and designated staff members are required to stay on campus until all children have left safely.
The circular directs schools to prevent students from leaving the campus during school hours and to maintain continuous supervision. Children are to use washrooms and play areas only under teacher supervision, with an emphasis on moving in groups. Evening special classes have been prohibited, and any online classes must be scheduled only after students have returned home.
Schools in locations with frequent leopard movement have been given the authority to excuse students from attending courses, with parents being advised to ensure their children's safety at home. Schools located near forested zones have been told to conduct classes with doors closed and ensure students are accompanied by teachers whenever they step outside classrooms.
Teachers have also been advised to exercise caution, use vehicles where possible, avoid isolated routes and leave the campus only after confirming that all students have departed safely. The education office further noted that school staff bear responsibility for student safety from the time children arrive at school until they return home, along with ensuring their own safety.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
BJP's 'preparation' for Punjab polls has begun: Kejriwal on ED raids against AAP MP Mittal
New Delhi (PTI): As the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids against AAP leader Ashok Kumar Mittal, the party's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said the BJP has started its "preparations" for the upcoming poll in Punjab by using central agencies.
The ED on Wednesday conducted raids at the business and residential premises of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Kumar Mittal in Punjab and Haryana as part of a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), officials said.
In a post on X in Hindi, Kejriwal said, "Modi ji has started preparations for the elections in Punjab. But, the people of Punjab will not tolerate this... they would give a befitting reply to the BJP."
About 10 locations in Jalandhar and Gurugram are being covered under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). This includes the premises of the Phagwara-based Lovely Professional University (LPU) and two linked educational institutions named Tetr College of Business and Masters Union College of Business located in Gurugram, ED officials said.
Mittal was recently appointed the deputy leader of the Aam Aadmi Party in the Rajya Sabha, replacing MP Raghav Chadha. The 61-year-old AAP leader is also the Chancellor of Lovely Professional University, Phagwara.
Reacting to the development, AAP leaders accused the BJP of misusing central agencies ahead of elections.
There was no immediate response from the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also strongly condemned the raids, saying the BJP has begun its "preparations" for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state, currently ruled by the AAP.
AAP leader Anurag Dhanda said the action indicates the BJP has begun its poll preparations in Punjab, and questioned whether the party can contest elections without relying on central agencies like the ED and the CBI.
Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia alleged that central agencies are deployed ahead of elections in states, followed by political visits by BJP leaders.
He also criticised the Centre, accusing it of functioning in an authoritarian manner.
Officials, however, said the searches are part of an ongoing FEMA investigation and are being conducted at various premises linked to Mittal's business entities.
_vb_76.jpeg)
_vb_00.jpeg)