Embassy did not reach out to students stuck in Kharkiv, alleges father of boy killed in shelling
Haveri, Mar 1: No one from the Indian Embassy reached out to stranded Indian students in Kharkiv in Ukraine, where a Karnataka native pursuing medicine was killed in shelling amid a Russian military offensive, the victim's father alleged on Tuesday.
Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar from the district was killed when he stepped out of his bunker to exchange currency and fetch some food, his uncle Ujjanagouda claimed.
The victim's residence in Chalageri in this district slipped into gloom upon receiving the news of their child killed in the faraway European nation, with a large number of people thronging the house to console the bereaved family.
The boy's father Gyanagoudar complained that no one from the Indian embassy reached the students stuck in Kharkiv, which is witnessing hostilities. His family members said Naveen was in the fourth year of his course in the Kharkiv medical college.
Ujjanagouda said Naveen along with others from Karnataka was stuck in a bunker in Kharkiv. He had gone out in the morning to exchange currency and to fetch some food when he was caught shelling happened, in which he was killed instantaneously.
On Tuesday when he rang up his father, Naveen said there was no food and water in the bunker, Ujjanagouda stated.
Learning about the tragedy, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai called up Gyanagoudar over phone and expressed his sorrow.
Bommai assured Gyanagoudar he would make every effort to bring back his son's body to India. He also told him that he is touch with the officials in the external affairs ministry.
The bereaved father told Bommai that Naveen had called him in the morning as well. Daily the son used to ring him up at least two to three times, he told the Chief Minister.
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Protest over ATM staff shooting ends after assurance from MP Sagar Khandre
Bidar: A major protest erupted in front of the district government hospital following a deadly shooting incident involving State Bank of India ATM staff. One staff member was killed, and another critically injured when unidentified assailants opened fire as they attempted to deposit money at the ATM.
The incident drew public outrage, with family members of the victims and local residents gathering outside the hospital. They demanded immediate compensation, job security for a family member, and expedited post-mortem procedures, criticizing the absence of senior officials and government representatives earlier in the day.
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MP Sagar Khandre later arrived to offer condolences and address the protesters' concerns. Responding to demands, he assured that he would discuss the matter with the Chief Minister to arrange for two acres of land and a government job for the victim’s family. Additionally, he confirmed that since the case falls under the Atrocity Act, the Social Welfare Department would provide Rs. 8 lakh in compensation.
Following his assurances, the protest was called off, bringing temporary relief to the tense situation. Police investigations into the robbery and shooting are ongoing, with senior officials, including IGP Ajay Hiroli, overseeing the case.
