Manjeshwar: MLA A K M Ashraf, over 15 others detained during toll gate protest at Kumble
Manjeshwar: Police on Thursday detained more than 15 people, including Manjeshwar legislator A K M Ashraf, in connection with the protest against toll collection at the Kumble Arikkadi toll plaza on National Highway 66.
The detentions were carried out by Kumble police after protesters attempted to continue an indefinite agitation near the toll gate. Police also removed the temporary tarpaulin shelter erected by the protesters at the site.
The action followed an incident late Wednesday night in which protesters allegedly vandalised the toll plaza at Kumble Arikkadi. According to police, CCTV cameras, barricades and glass panels at the toll gate were damaged during the protest. An FIR has been registered against more than 500 people in connection with the incident.
On Wednesday, protesters reportedly took out a procession from Kumble town to the toll gate, demanding the suspension of toll collection and allegedly vandalized toll booth. The protest continued on Thursday morning.
Kasaragod Superintendent of Police had earlier appealed to Ashraf to withdraw the indefinite protest, citing concerns over law and order. Police said that when the MLA declined to do so, a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar moved in and detained Ashraf along with other protesters.
Among those taken into custody were CPM Kumble zonal secretary C A Zubair, Kumble Gram Panchayat president V P Abdul Khader Haji, Block Panchayat Standing Committee president Ashraf Karle, A K Arif, and Congress leader Lakshman Prabhu.
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UP: Rats spotted in orthopaedic ward of Gonda medical college; probe ordered
Gonda (PTI): A video showing rats moving freely inside the orthopaedic ward of the Gonda medical college here has surfaced on social media, prompting the district magistrate to order a probe into the incident.
The video, reportedly recorded by patients admitted at the autonomous institution and said to be around two days old, shows at least five large rats scurrying inside the ward, including on patients' beds, tables and near the oxygen pipeline, causing panic.
Taking cognisance of the clip, District Magistrate Priyanka Niranjan directed medical college principal Dhananjay Shrikant Kotasthane to take immediate and strict action.
Following the directions, anti-rodent medicines were sprayed in the wards. The district administration has also ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident.
The principal said food brought into wards by patients' attendants attracts rats. He assured that no negligence regarding patient safety would be tolerated.
He said that after spraying medicines across all wards, rats have disappeared, though the matter is still being investigated.
The medical college administration has also announced several preventive measures. Under the new rules, only one attendant per patient will be allowed inside wards except during visiting hours, and entry of multiple attendants has been restricted. Carrying large quantities of food items inside wards has also been prohibited.
Medical Superintendent D N Singh said instructions have been issued to launch a comprehensive cleanliness drive in all wards.
