Ramanagara: JDS leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy said that he didn't know what wrong he had done to deserve two consecutive defeats in elections. He didn't know if his bad luck was the result of being the grandson of a former PM and the son of a former CM, he said. He was addressing a campaign rally in Kannamangala near Ramanagara on Thursday.

"I bore the brunt of Congress instigated conspiracy in two consecutive elections. I fell a prey for this conspiracy despite people voting in my favour. I am in a lot of pain. Today, I have competed in this election to respect the wishes of our party workers. Please make this youth win this time", Nikhil Kumaraswamy emotionally appealed to the gathering.

Shedding tears, the young JDS leader said that he was touring across the state to strengthen the party. "I want to connect with the last man in the party. It is very difficult to build a regional party. We are still standing because of your blessings", he added.

Nikhil Kumaraswamy said that Channapattana constituency was of high importance in the state by-elections as it was where his father, H D Kumaraswamy, had competed. "I am visiting each and every village. I make a humble request for your full co-operation and faith. Channapattana has seen a lot of development during the time of Deve Gowdaji and Kumaranna", he stated.

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Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 31: The "explosion-like" sounds, accompanied by tremors, that were heard in the Anakkallu area of Malappuram district a day ago, were apparently caused due to friction and cracking of rocks close to the surface of the earth, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said on Thursday.

According to a joint statement issued by the KSDMA and the District Disaster Management Authority in Malappuram, District Geologist, Ground Water Department Geologist and District Hazard Analyst conducted a site inspection where the noise and vibrations occurred on October 17, 18 and 29.

Based on the inspection, the KSDMA concluded the noise and vibrations were "caused by the friction and cracking of rocks close to the surface of the earth" -- a phenomena which has been reported in many parts of Kerala before -- and were generally not dangerous.

This phenomenon is often caused by subtle natural changes in the earth. They are also caused by the displacement of rocks due to groundwater utilisation and when air contained in small cavities inside the earth escapes through tube wells, KSDMA said in the statement.

It said a decision has been taken to subject the site to a geophysical survey to understand the structure of the area more accurately and for that the Kozhikode NIT has been contacted by the KSDMA.

Regarding the damage suffered by some buildings due to the vibrations, it said that the same was due to their "age and structural weakness".

The authority said that depending on the extent and pattern of the cracks suffered by the buildings, the damage can be repaired by an engineer for continued use.

Nearly 300 people were moved to safety after the "explosion-like" sounds accompanied by tremors were heard by them in Anakkallu area in Malappuram district on Tuesday night.

The first sound was reportedly heard at 9.15 pm on Tuesday, followed by two more at 10.15 pm and 10.45 pm along with mild tremors, and reportedly within a 2-km radius, causing panic among the local residents.

Local residents had said they heard alarming sounds similar to those heard from granite quarries at their place repeatedly accompanied by continuing tremors.

Cracks were also found to have developed in some houses in the area, they had said.