Private doctors’ strike claims 12 lives across Karnataka in two days

coastaldigest.com news network
November 15, 2017

Bengaluru, Nov 15: At least twelve deaths were reported from different parts of Karnataka in two days as the patients were unable to get timely care due to the private doctors' agitation. At least four deaths were reported on Monday, the first day of Belagavi Chalo agitation. On Tuesday, eight more patients died for want of treatment.

A 56-year-old panchayat development officer PDO, who suffered a heart attack, died as he could not get medical attention. Gyanappa Budnal of Mukkumpi in Gangavathi taluk of Koppal district, who was working as a PDO in Vanaballari of Koppal taluk, complained of chest pain. The officer died as he could not get treatment at a private hospital where he was taken, his family said.

Shekhappa Gyanappa Jakkali, 60, an APMC trader, died of a heart attack at Ilkal in Hungund taluk of Bagalkot district. Jakkali complained of chest pain in the wee hours due to a dip in blood pressure. As the private hospitals were closed due to the strike, he was taken to the government hospital.

Even before medical officer Dr Biradar could examine him, Jakkali breathed his last, hospital sources said.

A three-month-old infant, which was suffering from breathing problems, died as it could not get timely medical care in Hassan.  The victim is Ibrahim, son of Nadeem and Farhana, residents of Siddaiahana Nagar. The baby was suffering from breathing problems for the past four days. The infant was treated at a hospital in Tiptur, where Farhana had gone for her delivery.

As the baby did not recover, it was brought to Hassan. Ibrahim could not get proper treatment as all private hospitals remained closed. The couple took the baby to the district hospital for treatment and returned to Tiptur. But Ibrahim's condition turned critical at night. The baby died when the parents were bringing him to the hospital in Hassan in a bus.

Kallavva Srishail Ambi (12), a resident of Nadi-Ingalgaon village in Athani taluk, Belagavi district. Kallavva, a diabetic, was suffering from abdominal pain. As the girl was about to go unconscious, she was taken to a private hospital, but she did not receive treatment as the doctors are on strike. Kallavva was admitted to the government hospital in Athani, where she died during treatment.

Two deaths were reported from Haveri district. One-and-a-half year-old girl Sayina from Byadagi and 18-year-old Mardan Sab, a PU student from Kaginele near Byadagi also breathed their last due to unavailability of doctors.

Ashok (40) from Jamakhandi and Mahesh Chandu Vaghamore (27) from Athani taluk, who had received injuries in a road mishap breathed their last in the private hospitals as there were no doctors to treat them.

Vaishnavi Jadhav, 9, of Dharwad, who was undergoing treatment for dengue at the Kims Hospital in Hubballi, died on Monday night. She was refused treatment at private hospitals and had to be taken to the Kims Hospital.

Maktoom Husain Charagosti (53) from Badami in Bagalakote, Mallappa Yamanappa Neeralakeri (68) from Muthalageri village in Bagalakote, and Sunanda Belagaunkar (50) from Mudhola died on Monday as they did not get timely treatment.

Meanwhile, the private doctors on Wednesday continued their agitation across the state demanding the withdrawl of the certain provisions in Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill.

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News Network
November 26,2025

students.jpg

Bengaluru, Nov 26: Karnataka is taking its first concrete steps towards lifting a three-decade-old ban on student elections in colleges and universities. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced Wednesday that the state government will form a small committee to study the reintroduction of campus polls, a practice halted in 1989 following incidents of violence.

Speaking at a 'Constitution Day' event organised by the Karnataka Congress, Mr. Shivakumar underscored the move's aim: nurturing new political leadership from the grassroots.

"Recently, (Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha) Rahul Gandhi wrote a letter to me and Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) asking us to think about restarting student elections," Shivakumar stated. "I'm announcing today that we'll form a small committee and seek a report on this."

Student elections were banned in Karnataka in 1989, largely due to concerns over violence and the infiltration of political party affiliates into campus life. The ban effectively extinguished vibrant student bodies and the pipeline of young leaders they often produced.

Mr. Shivakumar, who also serves as the Karnataka Congress president, said that former student leaders will be consulted to "study the pros and cons" of the re-introduction.

Acknowledging the history of the ban, he added, "There were many criminal activities taking place back then. We’ll see how we can conduct (student) elections by regulating such criminal activities."

The Deputy CM reminisced about his own journey, which began on campus. He recalled his political activism at Sri Jagadguru Renukacharya College leading to his first Assembly ticket in 1985 at the age of 23. "That's how student leadership was at the time. Such leadership has gone today. College elections have stopped," he lamented, adding that for many, college elections were "like a big movement" where leaders were forged.

The move, driven by the Congress high command's push to cultivate young talent, will face scrutiny from academics and university authorities who have, in the past, expressed concern that the return of polls could disrupt the peaceful academic environment and turn campuses into political battlegrounds.

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News Network
November 22,2025

Mangaluru: Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H has warned of strict action against individuals spreading rumours and attempting to create insecurity within the Muslim community and fuel hatred between Hindus and Muslims through social media.

Referring to a recent social media post alleging that police personnel had entered a masjid premises to check whether beef was being cooked, the commissioner said miscreants were attempting to push their communal agenda. 

“A group of people, both from Mangaluru and abroad, are trying hard to spread rumours. For the past 10 days, they have been attempting to rake up old issues, highlight routine matters as controversies, or fabricate news altogether,” he said.

He reiterated that any such attempts to disturb communal harmony would invite legal action. “Cases will be registered and the accused will be brought to book,” he stated.

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News Network
November 22,2025

The Karnataka government has announced a 50% rebate on pending traffic and transport fines. The discount is available from November 21 to December 12.

The rebate applies to all traffic e-challans and violation cases booked by the RTO between 1991–92 and 2019–20. Officials clarified that the offer is not applicable to pending tax dues and is restricted only to traffic-violation fines.

Across Karnataka, more than 4 lakh RTO cases remain pending, including those involving transport vehicles. While thousands of vehicle owners have already cleared their dues, the department expects to generate substantial revenue through this limited-period rebate.

How to Pay and Avail the Discount

There are three ways to check and pay your pending fines:

1. Through Mobile Apps
Available on both Play Store and App Store:
•    Karnataka State Police (KSP) app
•    KarnatakaOne app
•    ASTraM app

Steps:
•    Enter your vehicle number in any of the above apps
•    Verify the photo/details of your vehicle
•    Pay the fine with the 50% discount applied

2. Visit a Traffic Police Station

You can pay your pending fine at any nearby traffic police station.

3. Visit the Traffic Management Centre (TMC)

•    Location: First Floor, Infantry Road, near Indian Express, Bengaluru

Transport Commissioner Yogeesh A M said, “We don't issue e-challans, so there's no online payment system.”

The department estimates ₹52 crore in pending RTO fines up to March 2020. “With the 50% rebate, we expect to collect around ₹25 crore if all dues are cleared,” he added.

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