Mangaluru Karavali Utsava accident, giant wheel malfunction, amusement ride safety, inquiry ordered, negligence allegation, children injured, police proMangaluru Karavali Utsava accident, giant wheel malfunction, amusement ride safety, inquiry ordered, negligence allegation, children injured, police proMangaluru (PTI): An inquiry has been initiated following a complaint from a city resident that a giant wheel ride malfunctioned at the Karavali Utsava grounds here, leaving him and his two children injured, police said on Saturday.

The incident occurred on December 24, they said.

According to police, in his complaint, K Mohan Mulali alleged that when the giant wheel began operating at high speed and the cabin they were seated in suddenly dropped and collided with another.

He alleged that the cabin doors broke mid-ride, causing the occupants to be violently thrown inside the enclosure multiple times.

“The complaint prima facie indicates negligence and poor maintenance. We have sought details from the ride operators and will examine whether safety norms were violated,” Mangaluru Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy said.

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Mulali alleged that no immediate medical assistance was provided at the site. He claimed there was no first-aid facility or ambulance available and that bystanders helped the injured family.

A district official overseeing Karavali Utsava arrangements said the operators were reprimanded, adding that the ambulance stationed at the venue was attending to another emergency at the time.

“We are reviewing safety protocols for all amusement rides,” the official said.

Police said a case would be registered if violations under public safety and negligence laws are established. “Ensuring public safety at large gatherings is non-negotiable. If lapses are found, strict action will follow,” Reddy said.

Mulali has demanded suspension of the giant wheel and mandatory safety audits of all amusement rides to prevent similar incidents.

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Chennai (PTI): New entrant TVK, led by actor-politician Vijay, was leading in as many as 83 constituencies on Monday when counting of votes polled in the April 23 Assembly polls was on across Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK was leading in 58 seats while the ruling DMK was ahead in 34, EC data showed.

About two hours after the postal ballots were counted and EVMs opened for multi-round counting, Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam surged ahead of its Dravidian rivals-- the DMK and the AIADMK, with the ruling party struggling to catch up.

If the trends maintain, Vijay could as well ensure the biggest electoral upset, something in lines with the "1967,1977" wins he had referred to in his campaign speeches.

While the Dravidian stalwart CN Annadurai brought the first non-Congress government in Tamil Nadu post-independence in 1967, the charismatic MG Ramachandran (MGR) installed the maiden AIADMK government 10 years later, unseating then DMK government under M Karunanidhi. TVK was leading in most Chennai segments, all considered DMK strongholds and currently represented by the party in the 234-member House.

A poor show by DMK could belie most exit polls giving an edge to it, riding on the number of populist measures Chief Minister M K Stalin had implemented in his five year "Dravidian model," inclusive governance.

According to EC and TV reports, 15 cabinet ministers, including Stalin were trailing. His son and deputy CM Udhayanidhi was also behind in his incumbent Chepauk-Tirvuvallikeni seat, according to a number of reports.

Stalin was trailing behind TVK's VS Babu by 1234 votes in Kolathur segment. Vijay was ahead in Tiruchirappalli East by over 3,000 votes at the end of two rounds of counting, according to EC data.

BJP is trailing in 26 constituencies and it is ahead in Thali segment alone. TVK is ahead in constituencies including Ponneri, Tiruvallur, Poonamalle, and Avadi.

AIADMK is leading in segments including Katpadi, and Guidyattam and party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami is ahead in Edappadi segment by 7003 votes.

DMK was leading in segments including Vellore, Anaikattu and Rishivandiyam.