Honour killing in Hubballi: Minister Santosh Lad meets attack victims, calls incident condemnable
Hubballi: Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad has termed the recent incident of honour killing of a young woman by her father for marrying a man of low caste in Inam-Veerpur village of the taluk as inhuman.
“Even after completing 80 years of gaining Independence, it is unfortunate that we are ruled by the caste system. We are yet to gain equality and humanitarian values in society,” he told reporters, after meeting the people injured in connection to the case.
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The district administration and medical officials’ quick action has saved the lives of the injured people, while the arrival of the police team at the scene prevented a major mishap, the minister said.
Lad assured that the government was taking necessary steps in the case. “We are in constant touch with the Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Commissioner (DC). The Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) was suspended on Friday since the official had failed to fulfill his duties. We are also in support of the bereaved family,” he added.
“I paid a visit to the village yesterday (Friday) and told the locals that a round of counseling would be undertaken for them,” the minister said.
Referring to people helping the deceased woman’s husband, Lad said, “I was informed that the family received no help during such a situation, which is equivalent of a social boycott. The entire government, however, stands by the boy’s family."
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Karnataka minister orders safari resumption from Feb 21 with strict curbs
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Safari operations, suspended after the human-tiger conflict, will resume with conditions from February 21, following Minister Eshwar Khandre’s directive on Friday to strictly enforce guidelines.
The state forest minister reviewed the situation with officials from Mysuru, Kodagu and Chamarajanagar, and said an order would be issued to restart safaris from Saturday.
Khandre warned that any violation of the conditions would make officials accountable.
“Only 50 per cent of the safari vehicles and staff in use prior to November 7 should be deployed. Operations should be conducted mainly through buses, with minimal use of campers and jeeps. Detailed instructions will be issued,” he said.
Khandre directed officials to identify human–wildlife conflict-prone areas in Bandipur and Nagarahole and intensify patrolling.
“Precautionary measures must ensure wild animals do not enter residential areas, preventing loss of life and crop damage,” he said.
Following the death of a farmer in a tiger attack in Mysuru district, safari operations in Nagarahole and Bandipur tiger reserves were suspended on November 7, 2025.
According to the minister’s office, a 100-km stretch along the Bandipur boundary has been identified as highly sensitive, with 25 camps to be set up at five-km intervals.
“Local residents will be appointed as ‘forest friends’ at each camp to monitor wildlife movement. Proposals for facilities such as thermal drones and vehicles must be submitted in writing,” he said.
He said protecting people living on forest fringes is as important as wildlife conservation, with equal emphasis on crop protection.
“Thirty-five per cent of safari revenue should be used for skill training for youth in fringe villages, cattle fodder supply and children’s education,” he said.
Khandre stressed that conservation depends on local community support and directed staff to maintain cordial relations with residents and involve them in conservation efforts.
“Permanent staff must use the internally developed e-patrolling software, while outsourced staff in tiger reserves should use the e-stripe system,” he said.
Wildlife movement should be monitored at the integrated command centre, with prompt instructions issued to field staff. Complaints received on helpline 1926 must be addressed immediately, he added.
The minister also directed measures to prevent forest fires in Nagarahole, Bandipur and Biligiri Ranganatha Hills during summer.
“Steps must ensure tigers, leopards, elephants and other wildlife do not stray out of forests due to shortages of food and water,” he said.
