Thiruvananthapuram: Authorities here on Sunday rushed a police team to help in rescue operations of over a dozen students caught up in a fire in Theni forest area in Tamil Nadu bordering Idukki district, Kerala Police chief Loknath Behra said.

Behra said instructions have been issued to Idukki district police chief to give all assistance in the rescue operation.

"Medicines and food also have been sent to the spot. Behra spoke to his Tamil Nadu counterpart and assured of all help. He also asked Kerala State Fire and Rescue chief for all possible assistance," a media statement from Behra's office late Sunday night said.

Theni borders the famed Thekkady tourist destination in Kerala.

Authorities in Tamil Nadu were engaged in the operation to rescue students caught in the forest fire, with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman saying the Indian Air Force has been pressed into service.

The students, who are from Erode and Coimbatore, were trekking in the Kurangani Hills when they got caught in the fire.

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Davangere: Reports state that two groups engaged in stone pelting at each other during Ganesha idol immersion ceremony in Davangere on Thursday. Two police personnel were injured in the incident.

Few days ago, two groups of youth engaged in verbal altercation regarding raising of a flag for Eid Milad celebration. On account of the clashes, police had heightened security for the Ganesha procession. Despite the additional security, stones were pelted at the procession, sources stated. Inspector Gururaj and constable Raghavendra were injured in the incident. The procession continued after the police brought the situation to control. However, the stone pelting resumed once again as the procession surged forwards.

Security has been tightened up in the area and all shops have been closed down by the police. The two police personnel, who were injured in the stone pelting, are undergoing treatment at a hospital.