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 27,2025

Bengaluru, Nov 27: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s camp is reportedly on alert as the Congress leadership tussle in the state intensifies, particularly amid speculation over the potential promotion of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah is said to be in a “wait-and-watch” mode after admitting to “confusion” earlier this week and urging the party to “put a full stop” to it.

Sources say his supporters are ready to act if senior leaders — including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi — give any indication of backing Shivakumar. If the party insists on a leadership change, Siddaramaiah’s camp has a list of alternatives, underscoring the deep rift between the two leaders. One possible candidate is Home Minister G. Parameshwara, a Siddaramaiah loyalist and influential Dalit leader.

The strategy was reportedly finalized at a meeting led by PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, another Siddaramaiah supporter, who stressed that Delhi leaders need to resolve the issue. Kharge and the Gandhis are expected to meet soon, after which Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may be summoned to Delhi.

Shivakumar has largely stayed non-confrontational, publicly endorsing Siddaramaiah and downplaying speculation about his own ambitions. However, he has made pointed comments emphasizing the importance of honoring promises, directed at Siddaramaiah.

The feud traces back to the 2023 state election, when Siddaramaiah was chosen as Chief Minister while Shivakumar, who led the party’s campaign, was made Deputy CM and state party chief — a departure from the Congress’ usual “one post per person” rule.

There were also hints of a prior understanding that Siddaramaiah would step down midway through the term. As the halfway mark passed last week, Shivakumar-aligned lawmakers have ramped up pressure on the party for a leadership change, with Shivakumar himself hinting at stepping down as state party chief to pursue the top job.

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News Network
November 26,2025

Mangaluru, Nov 26: Assembly Speaker and local MLA U.T. Khader has initiated a high-level push to resolve one of Mangaluru’s longest-standing traffic headaches: the narrow, high-density stretch of National Highway-66 between Nanthoor and Talapady.

He announced on Tuesday that a formal proposal has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) seeking approval to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the widening of this crucial corridor.

The plan specifically aims to expand the existing 45-meter road width to a full 60 meters, coupled with the construction of dedicated service roads. Khader highlighted that land for a 60-meter highway was originally acquired during the initial four-laning project, but only 45 meters were developed, leading to a perpetual bottleneck.

"With vehicle density rising sharply, the expansion has become unavoidable," Khader stated, stressing that the upgrade is essential for ensuring smoother traffic flow and improving safety at the city's main entry and exit points.

The stretch between Nanthoor and Talapady is a vital link on the busy Kochi-Panvel coastal highway and connects to major city junctions. The move to utilize the previously acquired land for the full 60-meter width is seen as a necessary measure to catch up with the region's rapid vehicular growth and prevent further traffic gridlocks.

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News Network
December 3,2025

arrival.jpg

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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