Future City Police focus on cybercrime, road safety and monsoon preparedness

Police escorting some of the persons arrested in connection with the vandalism that followed RCB’s IPL win celebrations, in Kurnool on Monday night. | The accused were paraded from the Kurnool II Town police station to court.Many young people came onto the streets of Kurnool to celebrate RCB’s win over Gujarat Titans on Sunday night. The celebrations turned ugly when some vandalised government property and even broke the windshields of a private travel bus.Kurnool II Town Circle Inspector Sridhar said a case had been registered against certain individuals for destroying government and private property and smashing bus windows near Raj Vihar Centre.The vandalism took place on the city’s main roads. Youngsters removed police barricades and drove vehicles rashly, causing inconvenience to passers-by.After examining CCTV footage, videos that had gone viral on social media and other technical evidence, the police identified those involved and made the arrests.The police said strict action would be taken against those who damage public, government or private property. They urged people to hold victory celebrations and festivals peacefully. Published - June 02, 2026 01:26 pm IST

Ansiba Hassan | This was her second complaint against former colleagues in the AMMA executive committee. Earlier, she had petitioned the Chief Minister, the Home Minister, and the State Police Chief against AMMA vice-president Lakshmi Priya, accusing her of filing a fabricated case with the Tripunithura women’s police station. The complaint also named the sub-inspector of the station as an accused, who allegedly harassed for three hours over the fabricated case. She had already given her statement to the Thrikkakara Assistant Commissioner of Police in that case.“The latest complaint against Tini Tom is for passing communal remarks and separately making derogatory comments against me in the WhatsApp group of the AMMA executive committee,” Ms. Hassan said. She reiterated that she has no intention of appearing before the AMMA executive committee for a hearing.“How can I expect a fair hearing from the same committee against which I have complained? I am still ready for a hearing provided an independent commission is constituted for the purpose,” she added.Last week, AMMA’s president and the secretary issued a notice asking Ms. Hassan to appear for a hearing with evidence regarding her allegations against executive committee members. She was asked to appear on any of the first three days of this month. The notice stated that the executive committee had taken note of certain complaints and statements received by the association, as well as those reported in the public domain in recent days, concerning the conduct of members and the manner in which internal matters had been handled.In her reply, Ms. Hassan requested the constitution of a three-member independent panel or commission for a “fair and impartial” hearing. She recommended the names of Ramesh Pisharody, Dhyan Sreenivasan, and Maala Parvathi “or any unbiased personalities.” She further insisted that the entire hearing process be recorded and preserved in AMMA’s official records. This, she said, was necessary to ensure fairness since her allegations were against the president, vice-president, and an executive member of AMMA.Last month, AMMA president Shwetha Menon had issued an unofficial gag order to executive committee members, restraining them from making public statements in an apparent effort to diffuse tensions. Published - June 02, 2026 09:52 am IST

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

Image used for representational purposes only. File | 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

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