Bandh in Bengaluru against Cauvery water release to TN evokes partial response
Bengaluru (PTI): The Bengaluru bandh called by various organisations over the Cauvery river water dispute evoked partial response on Tuesday with most of the public services functioning normally.
Farmers and Kannada organisations, backed by the opposition BJP and JD(S) had made the call for shutdown in protest against the release of Cauvery water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
Normal life was affected in the city as fewer people ventured out.
'Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti,' an umbrella outfit of farmers' associations and other organisations led by farmer leader Kuruburu Shanthakumar, has given the call for today's dawn-to-dusk (6 am to 6 pm) Bengaluru bandh.
Shanthakumar and other leaders of the 'Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti were detained by the police at the Mysuru Bank circle, as they were trying to hold a protest march towards Town Hall.
Several activists of Kannada organisations were also whisked away by the police at Town Hall, as they gathered there to stage a protest.
Farmers' leaders and Kannada activists hit out at the government for allegedly using police force to curtail the protests and bandh.
City police have taken adequate security measures to respond to any violence that may happen during the protests. About 100 platoons have been deployed.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda said that prohibitory orders under Section 144 are in place across the city from midnight on Monday to Tuesday midnight in the wake of the bandh.
Also, according to existing restrictions and court orders, there is no permission for any bandh or procession in the city, he said, "No one can forcefully implement the bandh by using force, other than in cases where someone wants to observe it voluntarily."
Meanwhile, a Karnataka bandh, a state-wide shutdown, has been called, on September 29 by 'Kannada Okkuta', an umbrella organisation for Kannada organisations, led by activist Vatal Nagaraj. They are not supporting today's bandh.
Bengaluru Urban district Deputy Commissioner Dayananda K A has declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in the city on Tuesday, in view of the bandh.
Though cab services, autos and hotels/ restaurants were seen operating, drivers and hotel operators said not many people were coming out to utilise the services.
Similar is the case with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses and Metro rail services, as the usual rush was not seen at bus and metro stations.
Ola-Uber Drivers' Association and Hotel Owners' Association have said that their services will be normal today.
They have extended support for the September 29 Karnataka bandh called by pro-Kannada organisations, stating that in the midst of financial difficulties, they cannot afford to lose two days of work.
Most private companies and firms, including those in the IT sector, asked their employees to work from home.
Some malls in the city have decided to remain shut. Many shops and establishments were also seen not functioning as usual in the morning hours.
The opposition BJP and JD(S) which have been targeting the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government for allegedly failing the state by releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, have supported today's bandh, and have announced that they will take part in the agitation.
With protests intensifying, Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar on Monday had said the government will not curtail them but underlined the importance of maintaining peace.
Protests have continued in various parts of Karnataka, following the Supreme Court's refusal to interfere with orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority and Regulation Committee, directing the state to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.
Farmers organisations and pro-Kannada outfits have been staging protests in Cauvery river basin districts--Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagara, Ramanagara, Bengaluru and other parts expressing their anger and urging the state government not to release water to the neighbouring state.
Karnataka has been maintaining that it is not in a position to release water, taking into account its own need for drinking water and irrigation for standing crops in the Cauvery basin areas, as there has been water scarcity due to deficit monsoon rains.
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Pregnant woman turned away twice by MP health centre nurses, loses newborn; probe ordered
Ratlam, Mar 28 (PTI): An inquiry was ordered after a pregnant woman in Madhya Pradesh's Ratlam district was allegedly turned away twice from a health centre and her newborn died after she delivered hours later while being rushed to the facility on a hand-cart by her husband.The incident took place in Sailana town in the intervening night of March 23 and 24, officials said on Friday.
The video of the man taking his wife to the hospital for a third time went viral on social media.
"At 9am on March 23, Krishna Gwala, a resident of Kalika Mata Mandir Road in Sailana, took his wife Neetu to the community health centre where nurse Chetna Charel sent them away saying the delivery would take place after two-three days. At 1 am, she again experienced labour pains and was rushed to the hospital," said Sailana Sub Divisional Magistrate Manish Jain.
"This time nurse Gayatri Patidar refused to admit Neetu post examination saying delivery would be after 15 more hours. The couple returned home. After she felt labour pains, her husband took her to hospital in a hand-cart for the third time," he said quoting the complaint.
She delivered at 3am enroute but was later told by health authorities that the newborn had died.
"Gwala has blamed the hospital management for the death of the child and has demanded action. A thorough probe will be conducted into this incident," Jain said.
Dr MS Sagar, the in charge CMHO of the district hospital, said Collector Rajesh Batham ordered an inquiry into the death of the newborn."The investigation at the district level found negligence in duty. A show cause notice has been issued to Sailana Block Medical Officer (BMO) Dr PC Koli. A letter has been sent to the state Commissioner of Health Services seeking action against on duty doctor Shailesh Dange," he said.
Nursing officer Chetna Charel has been suspended with immediate effect while services of NHM contract nursing officer Gayatri Patidar has been terminated, he said.
