They were like my brothers: Survivor recalls how local Muslims helped her to safety after J&K attack
Srinagar: One of the survivors of the horrific attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, a resident of Karnataka, shared that local Muslim men helped her and her child reach a safer location, describing them as her “brothers” for their support and compassion.
Pallavi, the survivor, stated that she and her son were with her husband, Manjunath Rao, at the time he was shot. “We had reached the spot by horse riding. My husband was looking to buy something for my son to eat. Within minutes, I found my husband in a pool of blood. He died in front of my eyes, and I was helpless,” she shared.
Expressing gratitude to the locals who came to her aid during the horrific incident, Pallavi said that they have been extremely supportive and caring. “Three local Muslims, reciting ‘Bismillah’, helped us come down from the spot where the attack took place. They were like my brothers,” she said.
She added that one of them carried her son, while the other two helped her navigate the difficult terrain.
Pallavi, a manager at the Birur branch of the Malnad Areca Marketing Cooperative Society (MAMCOS), said it had been her husband’s dream to visit Kashmir. Visibly distressed, she said, “Now, I feel we should not have come here.”
Manjunath Rao, a 47-year-old realtor, was on a trip to Jammu Kashmir with his wife and their 18-year-old son. They had left Shivamogga for the trip on April 19 and were scheduled to return on April 24.
Geetha, the mother-in-law of Manjunatha Rao, expressed deep sorrow, stating that the family had sent their children to Kashmir believing the government's assurances of safety. She said they would not have allowed the trip had they been informed that the situation there was unsafe.
Meanwhile, district in-charge Minister Madhu Bangarappa informed the bereaved family about the arrangements made by the state government to bring Manjunatha Rao's mortal remains back to Shivamogga.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
