Bhatkal: Following the victory of the Congress candidate in the Bhatkal-Honnavar Constituency, supporters gathered at the Bhatkal Shamsuddin Circle with green and saffron flags to celebrate the Congress victory. However, pictures from the spot soon went viral across social media platforms with claims that the people were carrying ‘Muslim flags’ and some even claimed that they were carrying Pakistani flags, which could potentially create a communal divide in the region.

Vishnuvardhana N. IPS, Superintendent of Police Uttara Kannada District, has made it clear that the flag used by the supporters was not a Pakistani flag, and it was, in fact, a religious flag that the individuals used at their own discretion. He also added that no complaint was filed or action was initiated in this regard as the officers on the spot had already confirmed it was not a Pakistani flag.

Speaking to Vartha Bharati, SP Vishnuvardhana urged social media users to refrain from spreading rumors and posting sensitive content that could lead to a law and order situation in the region. He said, "It was a religious flag, and it was not a Pakistani flag. We have confirmed it, and we request the social media users not to share any misleading information that could create communal unrest."

Imran Lanka, the Bhatkal Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem’s Political Wing Convener, added that there is nothing called a "Muslim flag" as Islam does not have any official or celebrated flags. He stated that the flag used during the rally of celebration on Saturday was not a Pakistani flag. Only some fringe elements are trying to give a communal twist to the situation by spreading lies. 

According to the reports, some of the Muslim supporters had joined the rally carrying green flags to portray unity among the local Hindus and Muslims as the Hindu supporters had brought saffron flags to the rally. This was in fact meant to indicate that the two communities had played an equal role in ensuring the victory of the Congress candidate.

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Haldwani (Uttarakhand), Dec 8: Unable to afford a private ambulance service, a woman took her brother's body, tied to the roof of a taxi, to a village in Pithoragarh district, 195 kilometres away.

Taking cognizance of the incident, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had ordered an inquiry into the matter and directed the officials to take strict actions against the culprits.

According to police, Shivani (22), a resident of a village in Berinag lived with her younger brother Abhishek (20).

On Friday, Abhishek came from work early and complained of a headache. He was later found unconscious near a railway track and taken to Sushila Tiwari Government Medical College in Haldwani for treatment. The doctors declared him dead.

After conducting the post-mortem, the police handed over the body to Shivani on Saturday.

She reportedly spoke to many ambulance drivers standing outside the hospital mortuary to take her brother's body home but they asked for Rs 10,000 - 12,000 as fare.

Being unable to arrange for the fare price, she called a taxi driver from her village and was forced to take the body by tying it to the roof of the vehicle and travel 195 kilometres.

When asked about the incident, Dr Arun Joshi, Principal of Sushila Tiwari Government Medical College, said that the incident happened outside the hospital because of which it did not come to his notice.

He said, "If it had happened inside the hospital or if I was asked for help, I would have helped."

The patient's relatives who were standing outside the hospital said that no one supervises private ambulances and they charge exorbitant fares for taking patients.

Dhami has asked the state Health Secretary Dr R Rajesh Kumar to conduct a detailed investigation into the matter and take strict action against the culprits, a government spokesperson said.