Mangaluru, Feb 5: With three novel coronavirus cases reported from neighbouring Kerala, authorities have stepped up precautionary measures including screening passengers at the harbour and international airport here.

The New Mangalore Port has implemented the Centre's Standard Operating Procedure by screening crew of cargo ships and passengers of cruise vessels for the virus.

Port sources said screening was being carried out at the harbour in the last few days.

All the 1,800 passengers and 786 crew of cruise vessel Costa Victoria that stopped at the port were screened.

Arrangements were also made for screening foreign nationals arriving at Mangalore International Airport (MIA).

Besides, passengers were also made aware about the coronavirus and precautionary steps to be taken.

According to official sources, it is difficult to screen all the passengers from Kerala as buses and trains are being operated to Mangaluru daily from the neighbouring state.

District Vector Borne Disease Control Officer Naveenchandra Kulal said the Health and Family Welfare department has appealed to people, who have arrived from coronavirus-affected areas to Mangaluru, to contact the department in case of emergency.

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, May 17: BJP leader and advocate G Devaraje Gowda, who is in custody after being arrested in a sexual abuse case, on Friday charged that Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and four other ministers were behind the circulation of pen drives allegedly containing explicit videos of Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna.

He has even alleged that he was offered Rs 100 crore by Shivakumar to "bring a bad name" to BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to tarnish the image of JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy in Prajwal Revanna obscene video case.

"D K Shivakumar is behind the pen drive case, a team of four Ministers N Chaluvarayaswamy, Krishna Byre Gowda, Priyank Kharge and another minister was formed to handle this. It was done to bring a bad name to the BJP, PM Modi and Kumaraswamy. I was offered Rs 100 crore," Gowda claimed.

ALSO READ: Court extends interim anticipatory bail granted to HD Revanna till May 20

Speaking to reporters while being taken to the district prison in Hassan, after the police custody ended, he said, "Shivakumar told me 'you say Kumaraswamy is behind the distribution of pen drives. You won't be in problem, I will secure you...it was done to destroy Kumaraswamy's leadership in the state. As I did not agree, I'm being fixed in cases."

"They tried to fix me in a sexual harassment and rape case against me, but found no evidence. Now, they are trying to fix me in the pen drive case," he alleged, and said former MLC M A Gopalaswamy of Channarayapatna was sent for negotiations.

The 33-year-old Prajwal Revanna is facing charges of multiple instances of sexually abusing women. The issue as raised a political storm with the ruling Congress and BJP-JD(S) engaged in a slugfest.

An Interpol Blue Corner Notice has been issued against Prajwal in an effort to bring him back.

He was BJP-JD(S) alliance's joint candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha segment, which went to polls in the first phase on April 26.

While the Congress government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the cases, the BJP and JD(S) -- NDA partners -- have demanded that it be handed over to the CBI, and action be taken against those behind the wide circulation of explicit videos.

Get all the latest, breaking news from Karnataka in a single click. CLICK HERE to get all the latest news from Karnataka.