North Karnataka state demand loses steam as seers back out

TNN

July 31, 2018

Bengaluru/Hubballi/Kalaburagi, Jul 31: The cry for a separate North Karnataka state, raised by some seers and politicians, including BJP MLA B Sreeramulu, is dying down with a majority of them retracting the call, indicating that the North Karnataka bandh in 13 districts of the region may not get traction.

In Hubballi, pontiffs Siddhalinga Rajadeshikendra Shivacharya of Ujjaini peetha and Dingaleshwar seer of Balehosur mutt, supporters of the Veerashaiva faction during the Lingayat controversy, differ over the North Karnataka issue.

The Ujjaini seer told reporters in Kalaburagi on Monday that the Kannada language, land and people have an ancient history, and the voice of separatism is not acceptable for such a historical state. “Chief minister H D Kumaraswamy should stop issuing emotional statements and remember that he is chief minister of the entire state. Instead of provoking people of North Karnataka, he should try to take them into confidence and make sincere efforts to respond to the problems of all 224 assembly constituencies,” he added.

Without taking names, he urged all leaders and seers to make their stand clear on their demands pertaining to North Karnataka. “If they feel there has been an imbalance, they can approach the CM,” he maintained. He said that all Pancha Peetha swamis favour an undivided Karnataka. However, Dingaleshwar swami in Hubballi said that all governments have neglected North Karnataka and hence, the demand for a separate state.

Sreeramulu, who had lent his support to the demand for separate statehood and even volunteered to take the lead last week, backed out within hours of the announcement. The BJP has taken a stand that it is not for separate statehood, and Sreeramulu was reportedly asked to withdraw his statement.

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Mangaluru’s ₹1,200 crore fix: Massive sewage overhaul to end city’s drainage woes

News Network

December 19,2025

Mangaluru: In a decisive move to tackle the city’s deteriorating sanitation infrastructure, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has announced a massive ₹1,200 crore action plan to overhaul its underground drainage (UGD) network.

The initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV, aims to bridge "missing links" in the current system that have left residents grappling with overflowing sewage and environmental hazards.

The Breaking Point

The announcement follows a high-intensity phone-in session on Thursday, where the DC was flooded with grievances from frustrated citizens. Residents, including Savithri from Yekkur, described a harrowing reality: raw sewage from apartments leaking into stormwater drains, creating a "permanent stink" and turning residential zones into mosquito breeding grounds.

"We are facing immense difficulties due to the stench and the health risks. Local officials have remained silent until now," one resident reported during the session.

The Strategy: A Six-Year Vision

DC Darshan HV confirmed that the proposed plan is not a temporary patch but a comprehensive six-year roadmap designed to accommodate Mangaluru’s projected population growth. Key highlights of the plan include:

• Infrastructure Expansion: Laying additional pipelines to connect older neighborhoods to the main grid.

• STP Crackdown: Stricter enforcement of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) regulations. While new apartments are required to have functional STPs, many older buildings lack them entirely, and several newer units are reportedly non-functional.

• Budgetary Push: The plan has already been discussed with the district in-charge minister and the Secretary of the Urban Development Department. It is slated for formal presentation in the upcoming state budget.

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Post-Sabarimala pilgrimage drinking party turns fatal in Udupi; youth killed in midnight brawl

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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