Two died, properties worth Rs 20 cr damaged: DC
Rain damage in Dakshina Kannada
Mangaluru, May 30: Deputy Commissioner Sasikumar Senthil said that two persons have lost their precious lives and the properties worth Rs 20.74 crore was damaged in the rains that lashed the coastal region on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters about rain damages at his office here on Wednesday, he said that the rain lashed the coastal region for almost six hours continuously recording 368 mm rainfall. The district had recorded the average rainfall of 156.8 mm. Because of the heavy rains, roads, bridges, private buildings, electric poles and others worth Rs 16.63 crore were damaged. Total 560 houses were damaged causing the loss of Rs 4.11 crore. In the district, total 35 houses including 30 in Mangaluru taluk alone were completely damaged and the loss was estimated at Rs 78.33 lakh. Apart from this, 42 houses including 22 houses in Mangaluru taluk were partially damaged and 483 houses have minor damages, the DC said.
The district administration would issue compensation to the houses which were completely damaged in a couple of days. Remaining partially damaged houses and with minor damages would verified once again and disburse the compensation, he said.
The onset of monsoon rain should have been started from June 1. But because of the depression, the monsoon started three days ahead of the actual date. The district administration has taken all measures for the last one month to tackle the monsoon rains. The district would get an average rainfall of 150 mm. Earlier also, the district has seen such a rainfall. As the district administration was not prepared to face the rains for six hours continuously, it has faced lot of problems and inconvenience, he said.
As there was waxing in Phalguni and Netravati rivers on Tuesday morning, the rainwater could not reach the rivers due to which low-lying areas were marooned. But by the evening, the water level in the rivers was decreased and the rainwater gushed into the rivers. Since the district administration was prepared to face the eventuality, it has pressed boats into the service and taken other measures on time. In order to help the distressed people, six gruel centres were opened in the city, he said.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Vaishaly, DHO Dr Ramakrishna Rao and others were present.
Encroachment of storm water drainages to be cleared: DC
The DC said that a team of officials were entrusted the responsibility of inspecting the encroachment of storm water drainages and those which were filled with silt in the district. As a priority, this team would inspect the present condition of major storm water drainages from Kottara Chowki to Phalguni river and from Jappu to Netravati river and submit a report within next three days. If the storm water drainages were encroached, the district administration would take action immediately, he said.
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Allu Arjun didn't leave theatre despite being told about woman's death: Hyderabad police
Hyderabad, Dec 22: Top Telugu actor Allu Arjun did not leave the theatre during the screening of 'Pushpa-2' on December 4 despite being told to do so in view of a stampede in which a woman died, police officials claimed on on Sunday.
Speaking at a press conference on the annual round-up of 2024, city police commissioner C V Anand showed a video, made by police, on the situation that prevailed when the stampede occurred.
The video was made by collating footage, including from news channels and cell phone clips. It suggests the actor remained in the theatre till the midnight.
Anand did not make any comment on the video, but said the media can draw its own conclusions.
A police official talked about the sequence of events on the fateful night of December 4.
He said that he and other police officials informed a manager of Allu Arjun about the death of the woman and told him that the situation was out of control. He indicated that they were not allowed to meet the actor.
Allu Arjun's staff members told them that they would convey the matter to the actor but did not do so, he said.
The official said he later managed to reach the actor, told him about the woman's death and asked him to leave the theatre so that the fans don't harm each other while trying to catch a glimpse of him.
The official also told the actor that security arrangements would be made for his exit.
However, the actor said he would go only after watching the film, the police official said.
Later, accompanied by a senior officer, the official went inside and brought the actor out, he said.
Amid allegations that bouncers hired by Allu Arjun pushed crowds as well as policemen when the stampede occurred at the cinema hall, the police commissioner warned that stringent action as per law would be taken if THE bouncers indeed misbehaved with the police on duty.
The VIPs would be made responsible for the behaviour of the bouncers hired by them, he said.
Asked if the police would appeal against the interim bail granted to Allu Arjun, the commissioner refused to give a direct response, just saying it is part of the investigation.
What course of action is taken would be known in the days to come, he said.
He also declined to comment when asked if the family of the deceased told him about Allu Arjun's team or film production team allegedly threatening them not to speak on the issue.
Meanwhile, state Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy found fault with Allu Arjun responding on Saturday to the debate in the Legislative Assembly.
The minister, who observed that the actor should have respect for the government and the chief minister, demanded an apology from Allu Arjun to the government and the CM.
"This government is never vindictive. As Cinematography Minister, we allowed benefit shows and hiking ticket prices to promote the film industry," he said.
However, Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar found fault with CM Revanth Reddy for his comments on Allu Arjun in the Assembly on Saturday.
The comments of the CM sounded like character assassination of Allu Arjun and hurting the Telugu film industry, he alleged in a statement.
Later in the day, Sanjay Kumar visited a boy who is undergoing treatment in a hospital after being injured in the stampede.
"Consoled his father over the heartbreaking loss of his wife, Revathi. I pray to god that Sritej recovers at the earliest. Assured support to the family in this difficult time," Kumar said on X.
Earlier in the day, state DGP Jitender told reporters in Karimnagar district that film personalities and all others should understand that safety and security of citizens is utmost important, and also conduct themselves accordingly.
