MR phobia: Only 1,287 of 7,198 Urdu medium kids vaccinated in Bhatkal

[email protected] (CD Network)
February 26, 2017

Bhatkal, Feb 26: Although health department officials have been working hard to complete the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination drive in Uttara Kannada district, the campaign has run into trouble at Urdu medium schools in Bhatkal taluk. Of the 7,198 students at Urdu medium schools in the taluk under 15 years of age, in the taluk, a mere 1,287 have been vaccinated so far.

Vaccination

Sources allege that the problem began when miscreants doctored a video of a TV news channel broadcast on the MR vaccine, to spread misinformation about its effects. Dubbing the MR vaccination 'Modi-RSS vaccination', the miscreants alleged that the vaccine was part of a larger programme by the Centre to arrest the Muslim population in the country.

The doctored video further claimed that the vaccine would decrease fertility among women, and turn men impotent. The video subsequently went viral on social media. In fact, the situation got out of hand, with parents turning up at schools in Bhatkal to drive away doctors who were trying to administer the vaccine.

Taking cognisance of the gravity of the situation, the health department deputed two Muslim doctors Dr Husein Khaji and Dr Salim Ilkal to convince parents of the children studying at Urdu medium schools. In a bid to enlist the support of Muslim clerics, the duo has been visiting mosques across the town, and spreading awareness about the vaccine. "We inform them that the vaccination drive is being carried out in Muslim majority countries as well. We tell them that it prevents diseases in the child," said the two doctors.

Health workers and doctors said that they had been prevented from administering the vaccine to children at most Urdu medium schools. "The parents should volunteer for the drive. We can't force them. The drive will not succeed if such majority of the children from the Muslim community are not administered the vaccine," a doctor said.

District health officer for Uttara Kannada Dr G Ashok Kumar said, "We are trying to convince the parents that there will no problems to the child because of the vaccine. I am confident of vaccinating all children in the district."

Comments

naren kotian
 - 
Sunday, 26 Feb 2017

nonsense , similarly taliban does in afganistan and pakistan .same mentality this guys are developing , thats why more desh drohis are from this third rated town .jihad activities are very high in this .

Dodanna
 - 
Sunday, 26 Feb 2017

Why the media pointing at BHATKAL surroundings why not other places.
Some thing fishy behind this.

God save mankind

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru CEN police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly posting provocative and misleading content on an Instagram page named “mr_a_titude”, targeting the Bajpe police.

Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H identified the arrested as Abhishek M, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe Police Station under Sections 353(1)(c), 353(2), 56, and 57 read with Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the post.

According to police, the accused uploaded a photograph of a hotel on the Instagram page and alleged that accused persons in a murder case under the Bajpe police jurisdiction were being given “royal treatment” by the police, including being served beef meals daily from the hotel.

The post further accused the police of supporting criminals, misusing their authority, and betraying public trust. Police said the content was provocative in nature and aimed at inciting public outrage against the police.

Following the post, a case was registered at the Bajpe police station, and further investigation was transferred to the CEN police station.

Police records indicate that the accused has a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, and robbery at the Surathkal Police Station, and one case at the Kaup Police Station.

The Commissioner said the accused was traced and arrested using technical evidence.

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News Network
December 7,2025

SHRIMP.jpg

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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