Solidarity Fast in support of 'Jan Lokpal Bill' on Aug 16

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Savitha B R)

August 12, 2011

Mangalore, August 12: “August 16, 2011 will mark the second freedom struggle in India” said veteran Gandhian and social activist Anna Hazre. Expressing strong discontent over the government's version of the anti-graft Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare vowed to go on fast Aug 16, 2011 calling it the country's “second freedom struggle”.

“It looks like the government is not willing to eradicate corruption. This is our best chance to take affirmative steps to eradicate corruption in our country. We call upon the citizens of Mangalore to support Anna Hazare's “Second Freedom Struggle” to free the country from all sorts of corruption and corrupt practices,” said a release issued by D K Anti-corruption Forum.

“The government has cheated the entire nation by clearing the draft of the Lokpal Bill that excludes very important clauses of the Jan Lokpal Bill drafted by the Anna Hazare team. The Prime Minister, the Chief Justice and the members of parliament for their actions inside the house are excluded from the ambit of the Lokpal Bill that was placed in the Parliament recently,” the release said.

“We believe the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should be brought under the ambit of the Lokpal bill. All states should have Lokayukta (ombudsman) with prosecuting power. The government team had projected readiness to Team Anna Hazare and people's draft. But the government has tabled a Lokpal Bill that falls short of citizen's expectations in their interest and actions in curbing corruption,” it stated.

“Anna Hazare and his supporters feel that they are left with no option but to go on indefinite fast from August 16, 2011. In support and solidarity of 'Jan Lokpal Bill' and Anna's fight against corruption, we the citizens of Mangalore have decided to sit on fast in solidarity from 10 AM to 6 PM, August 16, 2011 at the entrance of the Deputy Commissioner's office, State Bank circle, Mangalore”, it said.

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No cases yet, but vigilance high: Karnataka braces for Nipah threat

News Network

February 3,2026

Bengaluru: Following reports of fresh Nipah virus (NiV) cases in West Bengal and heightened vigilance across parts of Southeast Asia, the Karnataka Health Department has placed the state on high alert and activated emergency preparedness protocols.

Health officials said enhanced surveillance measures have been initiated after two healthcare workers in Barasat, West Bengal, tested positive for the virus earlier this month. While no cases have been reported in Karnataka so far, authorities said the state’s past exposure to Nipah outbreaks and high inter-state mobility warranted preventive action.

Officials have directed district health teams to intensify monitoring, particularly at hospitals and points of entry, and to ensure early detection and isolation of suspected cases.

High Mortality Virus with Multiple Transmission Routes

Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that can spread from animals to humans and has a reported fatality rate ranging between 60 and 75 per cent. Fruit bats, also known as flying foxes, are the natural reservoirs of the virus and can transmit it by contaminating food sources with saliva or urine.

Known modes of transmission include:

•   Contaminated food: Consumption of fruits partially eaten by bats or raw date-palm sap
•   Animal contact: Exposure to infected pigs or other animals
•   Human-to-human transmission: Close contact with body fluids of infected persons, particularly in healthcare settings

Symptoms and Disease Progression

The incubation period typically ranges from 4 to 14 days, though delayed onset has also been reported. Early symptoms often resemble common viral infections, making prompt clinical suspicion critical.

•   Initial symptoms: Fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, sore throat
•   Progressive symptoms: Drowsiness, disorientation, altered mental state
•   Severe stage: Seizures, neck stiffness and acute encephalitis, which can rapidly progress to coma

Public Health Advisory

The Health Department has issued precautionary guidelines urging the public to adopt risk-avoidance practices to prevent any local spillover.

Do’s
•   Wash fruits thoroughly before consumption
•   Drink boiled and cooled water
•   Use protective equipment while handling livestock
•   Maintain strict hand hygiene

Don’ts
•   Avoid fruits found on the ground or showing bite marks
•   Do not consume beverages made from raw tree sap, including toddy
•   Avoid areas with dense bat populations
•   Do not handle sick or dead animals

Preparedness Measures

Officials confirmed that isolation wards are being readied in major government hospitals and that medical staff are being sensitised to identify early warning signs.

“There is no cause for panic, but there is a need for heightened vigilance,” a senior health official said, adding that there is currently no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for Nipah, and care remains largely supportive.

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