Udupi district's opposition to Kasturirangan report intensifies ahead of October 21 by-election
Udupi: Several Gram Panchayat members in Udupi district have demanded that the state government either remove their villages from the Kasturirangan report or address various grievances. They have warned that they will boycott voting in the by-election if their demands are not met. The election process is currently underway, and they plan to present their demands to the government after the voting concludes.
A by-election for the Karnataka Legislative Council's South Karnataka Local Authority constituency is set to take place on October 21 in the Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. Udupi's Additional Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Election Officer, Mamata Devi G.S., confirmed that all preparations for peaceful voting are in place at the district level.
In the district, approximately 37 villages in Kundapura, Byndoor, Karkala, and Hebri taluks are listed as affected by the Kasturi Rangan report. Several Gram Panchayats have insisted on being removed from this list, stating that they will boycott the elections if their demands are not addressed. Villages such as Mudhoor, Goli Hole, Jadkal, Hallihole, Alur, Chittur, Edmoghe, Vandsae, Amasebailu, Shedimane, Madamakki, and Belve are among those expressing their discontent.
If these Gram Panchayat members remain firm in their stance, the upcoming election, which is already lacking elected members for the Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat, is likely to face further complications due to the intimidation of members. The outcome may hinge on whether political parties can convince these members in the final hours.
A total of 6,032 voters are eligible to cast their votes in this election, with 2,480 voters in Udupi district and 3,552 in Dakshina Kannada district. Voting will take place at 158 polling stations in Udupi district and 234 polling stations in Dakshina Kannada.
In Udupi district, 30 out of 158 polling stations have been identified as sensitive. Similarly, 23 out of 234 polling stations in Dakshina Kannada are designated as sensitive. A total of 660 officials and staff members, including 14 micro observers, have been deployed across 165 teams for the polling stations in Udupi district. In Dakshina Kannada, 972 officials and staff members have been assigned across 243 teams for the polling stations.
Additionally, 328 police personnel have been deployed in Udupi district, and 540 personnel in Dakshina Kannada district.
Eligible voters are required to present either their voter ID (OTR ID) or an identification document provided by local authority members at the polling station. Only these two forms of identification will be accepted; other documents will not be considered valid.
Voters will be allowed to use only the specific indelible ink pen provided by polling officials to cast their votes. Any votes marked with different pens or marking instruments will be deemed invalid. Voters must indicate their preference for candidates by marking numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.) next to the candidate's name, as writing out the numbers in words will not be accepted.
In Udupi district, the Shiroor Gram Panchayat has the highest number of voters, while Hallihole and Edmoghe Gram Panchayats have the lowest. This election will allow voting only for Lok Sabha members, Vidhan Sabha members, Vidhan Parishad members, City Council members, Municipal Council members, Town Panchayat members, and Gram Panchayat members.
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8 children between ages of 1 and 14 dead after mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.
The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.
The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.
Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.
Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.
