KMC Commissioner warns of fines, cases against those defacing Kurnool with posters

Rise in dengue cases causes concern in Thripunithura municipality

The continued reporting of dengue cases in a ward of the Thripunithura municipality over the past month has raised concern among residents, health authorities and civic representatives.A cluster of cases has been reported from Ward 1, Attaprayil, and despite efforts by civic authorities to contain the spread, the lack of public cooperation in eliminating mosquito breeding sites remains a major concern, civic representatives said.“We have identified a few establishments that are not taking steps to remove waterlogged areas within their premises, which could become mosquito breeding sites. People are not cooperating despite repeated requests. Therefore, we are planning to enter these areas ourselves and undertake cleaning activities from Monday,” said ward councillor Praseetha Miju.Dr. Sona Rajan Manamel, medical officer at the Urban Primary Health Centre, Thripunithura, said 12 dengue cases had been reported from Ward 1, particularly from Parayapparambil Lane and Pulse Nagar Road in Kozhivettumveli.“Preventive measures, including source reduction activities and vector studies, are being carried out to contain the spread. The continued reporting of cases indicates the presence of a strong breeding source in the region. Improper waste disposal, waterlogging and poor gardening practices are among the issues identified,” said Dr. Manamel.According to sources, cases began to be reported from the end of April. “Residents are unwilling to keep their premises clean, and this has contributed to the continued reporting of cases. We believe the actual number of cases could be higher. A similar situation had arisen in November, too, when a considerable number of dengue cases were reported from the same area. The recurrence of cases points to the existence of mosquito breeding sites in the locality,” said a health worker.Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, convener of the Research Cell of the Kerala State IMA, stressed the need for caution with the onset of the monsoon. “The public must remain cautious and aware of the seriousness of dengue. The disease can infect a person multiple times and can even prove fatal in otherwise healthy individuals,” he said.He added that eggs laid by dengue-carrying Aedes mosquitoes can survive dry periods and hatch once rainwater accumulates, leading to a rise in mosquito population. “Infected mosquitoes contribute to the rapid spread of the disease. They generally fly only within a radius of around 400 metres. Therefore, if people keep their surroundings clean and prevent water stagnation, the risk of contracting the disease can be reduced,” he said.Meanwhile, the Kochi Corporation has also initiated precautionary measures to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and prevent the spread of dengue. “A few dengue cases were recently reported from the Vennala division. However, the spread could be contained through timely intervention. Source reduction activities are being carried out in all wards,” said Kochi Mayor V.K. Minimol. Published - May 31, 2026 10:06 pm IST

Rise in dengue cases causes concern in Thripunithura municipality

Trial in Manipur ethnic violence cases needs to be expedited: Supreme Court

Image used for representational purposes only. File

| Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (May 27, 2026) said that the ongoing trial in the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence needs to be expedited and sought a status report from authorities.Ethnic violence in Manipur broke out on May 3, 2025, after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts. The protest was held against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The violence claimed over 260 lives and left thousands of people displaced.On Wednesday (May 27), a Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that, according to a SIT report, chargesheets had been filed in 207 cases against more than 400 accused.The Bench was hearing a plea of CBI against the grant of bail by the Gauhati High Court to two accused, Arun Khundongbam and Nameirakpam Kiran Meitei, who allegedly gangraped the victims and paraded them naked.“We are of the view that the ongoing trial needs to be expedited. We have asked the CBI and others to provide legal aid counsel who are well-versed in Manipuri to counsel the victims. The status of the ongoing trial must be filed in the next hearing,” it said.At the outset, the Bench said that the matter was to be heard regarding the issue of providing legal aid to victims' families and that it would not interfere with other issues.Referring to a CBI report, the Bench said that 20 charge sheets had been filed and trials had commenced in 16 cases, while, according to the SIT status report, chargesheets had been filed in 207 cases against over 400 accused.The Bench also noted that, according to a report filed by former IPS officer Dattatray Padsalgikar, the law and order situation in the state was “precarious” on April 7 and 18 this year with some incidents of violence and the state police were stressed.The Bench also said that the victims’ faith in the system was of key importance and that “confidence-building measures” with them were needed.On September 8, 2025, the Gauhati High Court granted bail to the two accused on the grounds that they had been in custody for two years while charges were yet to be framed, and termed it to be "unjustified prolonged incarceration"."While the accusations here are grave and shocking, this court cannot overlook that indefinite detention without trial amounts to pretrial punishment, which is impermissible in law," the Gauhati High Court had said in its order.The CBI sought the cancellation of bail due to grave allegations of sexual violence. During the proceedings on Wednesday (May 27), advocate Nizam Pasha, appearing for some of the victims, said that the same court, which on May 9, 2025, noted the heinous nature of offences, granted bail on September 8 on the grounds of delay.“As it is a matter of liberty, an egregious ground is required to cancel the bail. Our main concern is bringing home the truth, and for that, whatever rehabilitation measure is necessary, we will examine,” the apex court Bench said.Earlier in March, the apex court had directed the appointment of legal aid counsel for the victims by the state legal services authority.On July 20, 2023, the apex court took suo-moto cognisance of the matter after a video of the assault surfaced online and was widely shared months later, triggering nationwide outrage. The violence was preceded by earlier tensions over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations.In August 2023, the Centre constituted the Justice Gita Mittal Commission to oversee relief and rehabilitation of the victims of ethnic violence in Manipur on the recommendation of the government of Manipur, citing the necessity of an inquiry into a matter of public importance. Its tenure was recently extended till July 31. Published - May 27, 2026 05:26 pm IST

KMC Commissioner warns of fines, cases against those defacing Kurnool with posters

Workers removing posters pasted on road dividers during an inspection by Kurnool Municipal Corporation officials near the Town Police Station in Kurnool on Monday.

| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Kurnool Municipal Corporation (KMC) Commissioner Challa Obulesu has directed officials not to be lenient in initiating action against those who deface beautification works, road dividers and other public places by pasting posters on them. The Commissioner said the works had been taken up by spending lakhs of rupees to make the city beautiful, and they should not be defaced.The KMC has painted the retaining wall along the National Highway at Ballari Junction to make it look aesthetic. Some individuals, however, pasted posters over the artwork. Similarly, posters were pasted on road dividers.సుందరీకరణ విధ్వంసకులపై ఉదాసీనత తగదు• బాధ్యులపై భారీ జరిమానాలు విధించండి• నగరపాలక సంస్థ కమిషనర్ చల్లా ఓబులేసు pic.twitter.com/YY88DpHep8— Kurnool Municipal Corporation (@OurKurnool) May 25, 2026Mr. Obulesu on Monday (May 25, 2026) visited these specific locations, contacted the individuals responsible and expressed his strong displeasure. He warned of strict action under the Municipal Act if the posters were not removed immediately.The Commissioner said no leniency should be shown towards those who paste banners and posters, and reiterated that strict action must be taken against them. He issued orders to impose heavy fines on offenders and, if necessary, to register legal cases against them.The Commissioner also directed officials to hold a meeting with flex-printing operators and those involved in pasting banners.Later, he conducted a surprise inspection of the Anna Canteen in the Government Hospital premises. The Commissioner also inspected sanitation operations in the Checkpost, Raj Vihar and Peddapadu areas and found dustbins and pushcarts overflowing with garbage near the local Y-Junction. When the sanitation inspector concerned told the Commissioner about the indiscipline of the compactor vehicle driver, the Commissioner immediately ordered the driver’s transfer.In Peddapadu, he expressed dissatisfaction over weeds and unhygienic conditions along both sides of the main road and in vacant plots in the streets. He said sanitation work must be taken up immediately, and warned of action if the situation did not improve in a week. Published - May 25, 2026 02:59 pm IST

KMC Commissioner warns of fines, cases against those defacing Kurnool with posters

Rise in dengue cases causes concern in Thripunithura municipality

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Trial in Manipur ethnic violence cases needs to be expedited: Supreme Court