Daring rescue saves starving family in Wayanad cave
Kalpetta: In a daring eight-hour operation, four forest officers rescued a six-member tribal family, including four children under the age of five, who were found starving in a water-filled cave downstream from Soochipara waterfall. The rescue mission was carried out after landslides devastated parts of Wayanad.
Kalpetta forest range officer K Ashif, along with section forest officer Jayachandran, beat forest officer K Anil Kumar, and forest rapid response team member Anoop Thomas, traversed rocky terrain to reach the family. Ashif recounted, “Initially, she [the mother, Santha] was reluctant to speak to us... It was only then that she disclosed about her husband and three other starving kids, the youngest just one year old.”
After lodging Santha and her eldest child at the forest quarters, the team embarked on a four-kilometer trek through treacherous terrain to reach the rest of the family. Using a rope, the officers climbed down to the cave and found the father, Krishnan, and the three children squatting under a makeshift sheet. “We feared they would not accompany us, but when we explained the gravity of the situation and the danger of staying there, Krishnan agreed to follow us,” Ashif said.
The team then fashioned a sling from a blanket to safely transport the children up the slippery, rocky terrain. "It was very risky—failure would have led to us falling into a 100-meter gorge. While walking back to the camp, we took turns carrying the babies in the sling," Jayachandran added.
The rescued family is now lodged at a forest department facility in Attamala.
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Punishment for those disrupting assembly proceedings, warns Speaker UT Khader
Belagavi: Speaker U.T. Khader on Friday warned that members who disrupt Assembly proceedings by talking in their seats during debates will be made to sit in the House for an entire day as a disciplinary measure.
The warning came after the Question Hour, when Deputy Leader of the Opposition Arvind Bellad was permitted to initiate a discussion on the development of North Karnataka.
At this point, expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal objected, stating that he had been seeking a debate for the past three days but had not been given an opportunity.
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Responding to the objection, Speaker Khader said Bellad had already been granted permission and assured Yatnal that he would be allowed to speak at the next opportunity. He noted that even as a serious discussion was underway, several MLAs were speaking among themselves with their microphones on, disrupting the proceedings.
Expressing displeasure over the conduct of members, Khader likened the situation to football, where players receive red, yellow, or white cards for violations. Similarly, he said, the Assembly issues warning cards to members who disturb the House. If they fail to correct themselves despite repeated warnings, they would be required to remain seated in the Assembly hall for a full day as punishment, he stated.
