Quarry owner, 2 others arrested over Karnataka explosion; CM announces Rs 5 lakh solatium
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Friday said five people were killed in the powerful explosion of a truckload of gelatin sticks at a stone crushing unit in Shivamogga district and assured action against unlawful mining and those responsible for the mishap.
Conceding illegal mining in Shivamogga, his native district, Yediyurappa said the quarry owner and two of his associates have been arrested for the explosion that occurred on Thursday night and he would inspect the blast site on Saturday.
While police last night said at least six laborers in the truck were killed in the explosion that left the bodies dismembered beyond recognition, Yediyurappa told reporters that five people were dead.
Announcing an ex-gratia of Rs five lakh each to the families of the victims, he said a probe into the explosion was on and a team of officials, including those from bomb disposal, mines, and geology departments, were on the job.
A clear picture of the casualty was expected to emerge soon with the authorities not ruling out the possibility of the death toll increasing, citing reports that there may have been more people at the site when the mishap occurred.
In a tweet, the Chief Minister said: "My deepest condolences to the bereaved family members. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured."
He told reporters here that he would direct the deputy commissioner of Shivamogga district to release a solatium of Rs five lakh to the families of the victims.
"Tomorrow I am going there. There are illegal mining activities going on. I will try to take steps to prevent the repetition of such incidents in the future," he said.
Yediyurappa assured appropriate action against those responsible for the explosion, the cause of which was under investigation.
To a question on allegations of an increase in illegal mining, he said such activities have been stopped at four to five places and stringent action would be initiated to end the menace altogether.
The chief minister said the newly inducted Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh Nirani would soon inspect the area.
Yediyurappa's son and Shivamogga MP B Y Raghavendra has already visited the spot.
The booming sound of the blast initially made local people mistake it for an earthquake and it was heard in nearby areas in neighboring Davangere, Chikkamagaluru and Uttara Kannada districts too.
In Shivamogga, the effect was so severe with some houses developing cracks, while roof tiles and window panes were shattered to pieces.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
