KSRTC issues press statement following tragic Talapady accident, says brakes did not fail
Mangaluru: A tragic accident involving a KSRTC bus on the Kasaragod–Mangaluru route claimed the lives of six people, including two passengers who were travelling in an autorickshaw, on Thursday afternoon near Talapady toll gate.
According to officials, the bus (registration number KA19F3407) belonging to the Mangaluru first Division was being driven by Nijaligappa Chalavadi, a senior driver with 14 years of service. The vehicle, deployed on Route No. 129/130 (Kasaragod–Mangaluru), had left Kasaragod around 12:30 pm and reached Talapady toll by 1:45 pm when the accident occurred.
Preliminary reports state that as the bus approached 150 metres before the toll, an autorickshaw suddenly entered the road. In an attempt to avoid a direct collision, the driver applied brakes, but the bus hit the auto. The impact caused the bus to go out of control, moving backwards on a slope before crashing into another autorickshaw and passengers waiting for buses by the roadside.
Two passengers inside the autorickshaw died on the spot. Four others, including the autorickshaw driver, sustained grievous injuries and were rushed to the hospital. However, despite treatment, all four later succumbed. Two more injured passengers, hit by the reversing bus, are currently undergoing treatment.
Officials confirmed that the bus had only recently been cleared in its fitness certificate (FC) renewal on August 26, ruling out any technical fault. The vehicle had completed 540 km in 10 trips since it was pressed into service on August 27.
Authorities have attributed the accident to the driver’s overspeeding and negligence. The corporation has assured that medical expenses of the injured will be borne by KSRTC.
Expressing sorrow over the incident, KSRTC Managing Director Akram Pasha said, “Despite regular training and awareness programmes for drivers, such accidents are unfortunate. We pray for peace to the departed souls and strength to the families. Strict action will be taken against the driver found guilty.”
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Have no personal involvement in Cong’s action against some minority leaders: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.
He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.
Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send the message that “Muslims are being targeted.”
“I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, he added, “People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline.”
Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers, and all sections of society.
The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of Chief Minister’s political secretary.
The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.
The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun.
They were also said to have not actively participated in the campaign.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the CM.
Rejecting allegations of factionalism within the party, Shivakumar said, “We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?”
“All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress,” he added, saying there are no factions within the party and that such claims are media-driven.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.
Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.
“We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said he discussed with Shivakumar the issue of withdrawing Jabbar’s suspension. He said he will also visit New Delhi next week to meet the high command and discuss state developments.
“Jabbar’s suspension was discussed (with Shivakumar). It should be withdrawn. Let’s issue him a notice and allow him to reply. Then let’s send the report to the high command and seek their approval. High command approval is necessary because the instructions came from there. It may take some time,” he said.
Stating that he met the KPCC chief for “damage control,” the minister said, “We have tried to convince him. Sometimes certain decisions happen that need rectification.”
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