Udupi district's opposition to Kasturirangan report intensifies ahead of October 21 by-election
Udupi: Several Gram Panchayat members in Udupi district have demanded that the state government either remove their villages from the Kasturirangan report or address various grievances. They have warned that they will boycott voting in the by-election if their demands are not met. The election process is currently underway, and they plan to present their demands to the government after the voting concludes.
A by-election for the Karnataka Legislative Council's South Karnataka Local Authority constituency is set to take place on October 21 in the Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. Udupi's Additional Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Election Officer, Mamata Devi G.S., confirmed that all preparations for peaceful voting are in place at the district level.
In the district, approximately 37 villages in Kundapura, Byndoor, Karkala, and Hebri taluks are listed as affected by the Kasturi Rangan report. Several Gram Panchayats have insisted on being removed from this list, stating that they will boycott the elections if their demands are not addressed. Villages such as Mudhoor, Goli Hole, Jadkal, Hallihole, Alur, Chittur, Edmoghe, Vandsae, Amasebailu, Shedimane, Madamakki, and Belve are among those expressing their discontent.
If these Gram Panchayat members remain firm in their stance, the upcoming election, which is already lacking elected members for the Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat, is likely to face further complications due to the intimidation of members. The outcome may hinge on whether political parties can convince these members in the final hours.
A total of 6,032 voters are eligible to cast their votes in this election, with 2,480 voters in Udupi district and 3,552 in Dakshina Kannada district. Voting will take place at 158 polling stations in Udupi district and 234 polling stations in Dakshina Kannada.
In Udupi district, 30 out of 158 polling stations have been identified as sensitive. Similarly, 23 out of 234 polling stations in Dakshina Kannada are designated as sensitive. A total of 660 officials and staff members, including 14 micro observers, have been deployed across 165 teams for the polling stations in Udupi district. In Dakshina Kannada, 972 officials and staff members have been assigned across 243 teams for the polling stations.
Additionally, 328 police personnel have been deployed in Udupi district, and 540 personnel in Dakshina Kannada district.
Eligible voters are required to present either their voter ID (OTR ID) or an identification document provided by local authority members at the polling station. Only these two forms of identification will be accepted; other documents will not be considered valid.
Voters will be allowed to use only the specific indelible ink pen provided by polling officials to cast their votes. Any votes marked with different pens or marking instruments will be deemed invalid. Voters must indicate their preference for candidates by marking numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.) next to the candidate's name, as writing out the numbers in words will not be accepted.
In Udupi district, the Shiroor Gram Panchayat has the highest number of voters, while Hallihole and Edmoghe Gram Panchayats have the lowest. This election will allow voting only for Lok Sabha members, Vidhan Sabha members, Vidhan Parishad members, City Council members, Municipal Council members, Town Panchayat members, and Gram Panchayat members.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
