Bengaluru, Oct 5: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday underscored the need to start 'tech schools' in the state to promote technical education.

There used to be a technology school in Hubballi way back in 1960 itself which was closed later. But, technology schools need to be started considering the fact that perception ability will be more during childhood," the CM said during a video conference after virtually inaugurating Innovation and Impact' programme, organised by the Department of Electronics, IT/Bt and S&T under Beyond Bengaluru' initiative.

Bommai said steps will be taken to promote the growth of innovative industries in the Hubballi region.

He also insisted on upgrading the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Tinkering Labs.

He added that polytechnic colleges will also be upgraded along the lines of 150 Industrial Training Institutes in the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for IT/Bt C N Ashwath Narayan said a centre of excellence (CoE) for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Engineering will be set up soon in Hubballi.

The National Education Policy (NEP-2020) aspires to ready the students as per the global technological developments, and accordingly, coding will be taught for students at the school level itself.

"The government has introduced effective policies to promote innovative technologies and the duration of the internship has risen from three weeks to 30 weeks.

Students will also be given opportunity to undergo internship in foreign countries," the Minister explained.

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Hubballi: A gym trainer was allegedly assaulted by a group of people following accusations of sexual assault and ‘love jihad’, even as both families involved in the case traded serious allegations.

According to police, a group of individuals went to the residence of Sameer Mulla, a resident of Vijayanagar, and questioned him over his friendship with a woman he had met at a gym. The situation escalated into a clash, during which he was allegedly dragged away and assaulted. He sustained minor injuries and was admitted to KIMS hospital.

N. Shashikumar said that after this incident, members from Sameer’s side went to the woman’s house, leading to another clash in which one person was injured. “It was wrong for groups to go near houses. We will take necessary legal action,” he said, adding that the incident appears to have arisen from personal reasons. Police have taken some individuals into custody and are investigating the matter.

Sameer Mulla was reportedly thrashed by a group of Sangh Parivar activists and later handed over to police at the Old Hubballi Police Station after relatives of the woman and members of Hindu organisations gathered at his residence in Rajnagar.

The woman’s family alleged assault and threats from Sameer’s relatives at their Vikas Nagar residence.

Meanwhile, Sameer’s family denied the allegations and accused the woman’s relatives and others of assaulting and kidnapping him. His sister said the two had been in a relationship for three years and that the allegations were baseless.

Police said statements from both sides have been recorded, and a detailed investigation is underway. Sameer remains hospitalised, and appropriate legal action will be taken based on findings.

In a video statement shared on social media, the 20-year-old woman alleged that Sameer had given her an intoxicant, recorded videos without her consent, and sexually assaulted her. She lodged a complaint alleging rape and blackmail, which police are investigating.

In another video, Sameer denied the allegations, claiming the video was recorded with consent and that the accusations were made under pressure.

Former Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA) chairman Nagesh Kalburgi termed the incident a serious matter and urged police to take strict action.

Police said the case involves multiple complaints from both sides, and further investigation is underway.