New IGP Pratap Reddy pledges transparent and competent policing

December 14, 2011

Mangalore, December 14: Promising transparent and competent policing, senior IPS officer C H Pratap Reddy on Wednesday formally took charge as the new Inspector General of Police (Western Range).

Outgoing IGP Alok Mohan formally handed over the challenging position to Mr Reddy, at the range office in the city.

He will supervise policing operations in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikmagalur and Uttara Kannada districts.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Reddy, a 1991 batch IPS officer, described his new posting as the most challenging task.

“Since Coastal Karnataka is a sensitive region, it is a really a challenging task to supervise the policing operations here. However, I promise to provide a competent and transparent taking everyone into confidence” he said.

He said that he is not new to coastal Karnataka, as he already has the experience of working as the Assistant Superintendent of Police in Karkala in 1994. “This is my second innings in this region”, he said.

“Compared to other parts, Western Range is quite different. Controlling communal clashes, naxal menace and gang war are some of the major responsibilities of the police department in this part”, he said.

Pledging to face all the challenges in the way of discharging the responsibility, he said that the proper directions would be given to the policing units under him about how to maintain peace and make sure that law and order prevail in the society.

Pratap Reddy, a BTech, started his career as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Arasikere of Hassan district.

He received the chief minister's medal for his efforts to maintain law and order during Mahamasthakabhisheka in 1994. Reddy, who hails from Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, served in Bijapur and Gulbarga districts before he was moved to CBI in Mumbai and Bangalore.

Pratap Reddy has also served as the Director of Cyber Security, NASSCOM and was responsible for implementation of the Cyber Security Initiatives of NASSCOM through its India Cyber Labs Project which aims at capacity building in various Government Departments including Law Enforcement and Prosecution.

After serving as adviser to National Association of Software and Services Companies (cyber security wing), Bangalore, since January 2009, he was appointed as the Mysore City Police chief in September this year. He also served as the ADGP of Karnataka Fire and Emergency Service.

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Mangaluru Airport turns political stage: Congress workers chant for DKS as Venugopal arrives

News Network

December 3,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 3: A group of Congress workers gathered at the Mangaluru International Airport on Wednesday to welcome AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, but the reception quickly turned into a display of support for Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

Venugopal arrived in the city to participate in the centenary commemoration of the historic dialogue between Mahatma Gandhi and Narayana Guru. The event, organised by the Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala, in association with the Mangalore University Sri Narayana Guru Study Chair, is being held on the university’s Konaje campus.

KPCC general secretary Mithun Rai and several party workers had assembled at the airport to receive Venugopal. However, the moment he stepped out, workers began raising slogans backing Shivakumar.

The university programme will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

This show of support comes just a day after Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar would lead the government “when the high command decides.” The chief minister made the comment after a breakfast meeting at Shivakumar’s residence—another public display of camaraderie between the two leaders amid ongoing attempts by the party high command to downplay their leadership rivalry.

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Puttur's Healthcare Dream Cleared: State Finance Gives Nod for 300-Bed Hospital

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December 2,2025

Puttur: The long-cherished dream of a government medical college in Puttur has moved a decisive step closer to reality, with the Karnataka State Finance Department granting its official approval for the construction of a new 300-bed hospital.

Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai announced the crucial development to reporters on Monday, confirming that the official communication from the finance department was issued on November 27. This 300-bed facility is intended to be the cornerstone for the establishment of the government medical college, a project announced in the state budget.

Fast-Track Implementation

The MLA outlined an aggressive timeline for the project:

• A Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the hospital is expected to be ready within 45 days.

• The tender process for the construction will be completed within two months.

Following the completion of the tender process, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the project.

"Setting up a medical college in Puttur is a historical decision by the Congress government in Karnataka," Rai stated. The project has an estimated budget allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for the medical college.

Focus on Medical Education Department

The MLA highlighted a key strategic move: requesting the government to implement the hospital construction through the Medical Education Department instead of the Health and Family Welfare Department. This is intended to streamline the entire process of establishing the full medical college, ensuring the facilities—including labs, operation theatres, and other necessary infrastructure—adhere to the strict guidelines set by the Medical Council of India (MCI). The proposed site for the project is in Bannur.

Rai also took the opportunity to address political criticism, stating that the government has fulfilled its promise despite "apprehensions" and "mocking and criticising" from opposition parties who had failed to take similar initiatives when they were in power. "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has kept his word," he added.

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