Bantwal: Two persons have been arrested on charges of abusing and threatening the life of an Associated Social Health Activist (ASHA) who enquired health of foreign returnees.

The arrested have been identified as Marappa Poojary and Umesh.

A police release said on Friday that the activist, Tulasi (48) of Amtady village in Bantwal taluk, had on Wednesday called Nitesh and Jayant of Bantwal taluk who had returned from abroad to know about their health status. Later Marappa Poojary and Umesh, who are relatives of Nitesh, telephoned the activist and abused and threatened her life.

Bantwal Town police have registered a case in this regard.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Bengaluru: Four cheetahs, including two females, have arrived at Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) from South Africa, NDTV reported.

The animals, brought from Induna Primate and Parrot Park in South Africa, landed at Kempegowda International Airport at around 1:15 am on Saturday. The transfer was carried out in accordance with the Wild Life (Protection) Act, BBP said in a statement.

Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre received the cheetahs at the airport cargo terminal.

The Minister asked officials and veterinary teams to ensure strict quarantine protocols, a prescribed diet, and close health monitoring for 30 days to help the animals acclimate smoothly.

Highlighting that cheetahs, locally known as “Sivangi,” have disappeared from Karnataka’s forests, the minister stressed the need to raise public awareness through zoological institutions. He also instructed Dr Sunil Panwar, Member Secretary, Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK), to prioritise the safety and well-being of the animals.

The BBP officials said that before transportation, the cheetahs underwent thorough health inspections and quarantine in South Africa as per the guidelines of the Department of Animal Husbandry.

Required No Objection Certificates (NoC) were also obtained from Animal Quarantine Services prior to import.

"Upon arrival at BBP, the animals have been placed in a designated quarantine facility for post-import health checks and observation, after which they will be shifted to their enclosures for public viewing," the BBP said.

This import underscores BBP's commitment to international collaboration in wildlife conservation, scientific management of animals, and strict adherence to regulatory protocols. It further strengthens the park's role in ex-situ conservation and environmental education, official said.