Ankola: No negligence or delay in rescue operation, CM asserts after visiting landslide-hit area
Ankola (Karnataka), Jul 21: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday inspected the rescue operations on National Highway 66 near Shirur here where a massive landslide took place last week, and instructed officials and the rescue teams to hasten the work, as heavy rains are pounding the region.
Asserting that there has been no negligence or delay by his government in conducting the rescue, he said military personnel have joined the efforts. He said he had also ordered that the families of those who died in the landslide be given Rs 5 lakh compensation.
"Due to a land slide on NH 66 on July 16, about 10 people were missing. Out of them, seven bodies have been recovered, three are still missing, and rescue operations are going on. Forty four personnel from SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) and 24 from NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) are a part of the rescue operation," Siddaramaiah said.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting the landslide spot amid heavy rains, he said 44 personnel from the military have also joined today, while the Navy has been assisting in the operations from day one.
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"Vehicles, including an empty gas tanker and a filled one (controlled release of gas has been done now) were washed away in the landslide. A tea shop was there at the spot and five members of the family (who ran it) have died in the incident... I have asked the district administration and the district in-charge minister to swiftly complete the rescue operations, as there are heavy rains," he said.
He said he was unable to visit the spot earlier as the assembly is in session.
Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Uttara Kannada District In-charge Minister Mankal S Vaidya, legislators from the district and senior officials, among others, were present during the chief minister's visit and inspection.
Under the supervision of Vaidya, the district administration is taking all the necessary measures, the CM said. The compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of each deceased has been given, Siddaramaiah added.
"In case more bodies are recovered, the families will also be given Rs 5 lakh compensation," he said.
Responding to a question on searching for bodies in the nearby river and the river bed areas, Siddaramaiah said that the Army and Navy have been requested to scan the river.
Asked whether unscientific road work may have caused the landslide, he said the work was done done by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). "After the rescue operation is completed, we will look into the matter and if anyone is wrong action will be taken against them....I will also speak to the Union Road Transport Minister to set right the road work and take action against those responsible."
To a question about a lorry driver from Kerala missing after his truck was caught in the massive landslide and officials and media from that state reportedly accusing the Karnataka government of taking too long for the rescue work, Siddaramaiah said his government has not caused any delay.
"Everything is going on at a swift pace. A person named Arjun from Kerala is said to be missing. ...officials and media from Kerala might have come. But without any neglect or delay, we are doing all the work at a fast pace," he said.
Reporters pointed out to the CM that a report was submitted to the government a year ago about possible landslides at 34 other spots, including where it has now taken place, and asked why no action was taken. The CM said in the one year since his government came to power, there were no rains due to drought last year and no such landslides happened earlier.
"We will take necessary action at such spots," he said.
Revenue Minister Gowda clarified that the rescue operation will not continue during night time.
Siddaramaiah responded to a question, saying he doesn't want to politicise the matter and acknowledged that central teams such as NDRF, SDRF and Navy are working together.
"I don't want to indulge in any blame game or mudslinging. People have died. I pray to the almighty to give strength to their families. Our compensation will not bring the dead back to life. This is an incident that has occurred naturally. We will try to rescue anyone alive; if not at least get their dead bodies back whether it is on land or from the river," he said.
Alternative arrangements to house affected villagers in nearby areas will also be made, he added.
ಉತ್ತರ ಕನ್ನಡ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ ಅಂಕೋಲಾ ತಾಲೂಕಿನ ಶಿರೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಗುಡ್ಡ ಕುಸಿದು ಹಲವರು ಸಾವಿಗೀಡಾದ ಸ್ಥಳಕ್ಕೆ ಇಂದು ಭೇಟಿನೀಡಿ, ರಕ್ಷಣಾ ಕಾರ್ಯದ ಪರಿಶೀಲನೆ ನಡೆಸಿದೆ.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 21, 2024
ಮಣ್ಣಿನಡಿ ಮುಚ್ಚಿ ಹೋಗಿರುವ ರಸ್ತೆಯ ಎಡಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಪಾಯಕಾರಿ ಗುಡ್ಡವಿದೆ. ಬಲ ಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಭೋರ್ಗರೆದು ಹರಿಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಕಾಳಿ ನದಿ ಇದೆ. ಜೊತೆಗೆ ನಿರಂತರವಾಗಿ ಸುರಿಯುತ್ತಿರುವ… pic.twitter.com/qvFjF8vWK6
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NADA suspends Bajrang Punia for four years for violation of anti-doping code
New Delhi, Nov 26: The National Anti-Doping Agency on Tuesday suspended Bajrang Punia for four years for his refusal to provide his sample for dope test on March 10 during selection trials for the national team.
NADA had first suspended the Tokyo Games bronze medallist wrestler on April 23 for the offence following which, the World Governing body UWW had also suspended him.
Bajrang had appealed against the provisional suspension and NADA’s Anti-Disciplinary Doping panel (ADDP) had revoked it on May 31 till NADA issues the notice of charge.
NADA, then on June 23 served the notice to the wrestler.
Bajrang, who joined Congress along with fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat and was given charge of All India Kisan Congress, had challenged the charge on July 11 in a written submission following which hearings were held on September 20 and October 4.
"The Panel holds that the Athlete is liable for sanctions under Article 10.3.1 and liable for ineligibility for a period of 4 years," the ADDP said in its order.
The suspension means that Bajrang will not be able to return to competitive wrestling and apply for a coaching job abroad, if he aspires to.
"In the present case, since the Athlete had been provisionally suspended, the Panel accordingly holds that the Athlete’s period of his ineligibility for the period of 4 years shall commence from the date on which the notification was sent, i.e., 23.04.2024.
"Needless to say that on account of the lifting of the provisional suspension for the period from 31.05.2024 to 21.06.2024 shall not be credited into the total period of ineligibility of four years."
Bajrang has maintained since the beginning that he was given extremely prejudicial and unfair treatment with respect to doping control because of his involvement in the protest against former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Bajrang also maintained that he never refused to give sample but only demanded to know NADA’s response to his email where he sought answer why expired kits were sent to take his samples in December 2023.
NADA also explained the reason for its action, saying that the Chaperone/DCO had duly approached him and informed that he was required to provide a urine sample for dope analysis purposes.
Bajrang in his written submission said that the conduct of NADA in two previous instances had created mistrust in the athlete's mind, especially with NADA failing to acknowledge or even respond to their callous approach towards the doping control process in both such instances, the failure to take responsibility for their action pertaining to their dispersal of duties meant that the athlete was morally bound to take a stance in resort as a senior athlete who holds a voice in the sporting community.
Bajrang also said "it was not an outright refusal per se. The athlete was always willing to provide his sample provided that he first received a response from NADA concerning the use of expired kits."
However NADA said, "the outright refusal by the athlete to provide urine sample for the dope test was intentional and deliberate" and that "Athlete has demonstrated utter disregard towards his duties and responsibilities as per Articles 20.1 & 20.2 of the Anti Doping Rules, 2021."
