Upalokayukta K.N. Phaneendra distributing welfare benefits to a beneficiary during a programme in Yadgir on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Kalyan Karnataka Regional Development Board (KKRDB) has reportedly released ₹53 lakh for the project.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The police department has planned to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in 85 places in Yadgir city. The process will be completed at the end of February 2025.

“The police department will take initiatives to install CCTV cameras in key places in the city. As many as 85 places have been identified. After finalising places, CCTV cameras will be installed there before the end of February and a control room will be established in Town Police Station to operate them,” Prutvik Shankar, Superintendent of Police, told The Hindu.

Kalyan Karnataka Regional Development Board (KKRDB) has reportedly released ₹53 lakh for the purpose.

“The city has been growing. The population and number of vehicles passing through the city are also increasing. The CCTV footage will help the department to crack down on crimes, including road accidents,” Mr. Shankar added.

Motorcycles seized

Police officers team arrested two accused and seized 22 stolen motorcycles from them. The value of the seized vehicles is around ₹7.50 lakh.

“Under the guidance of Additional Superintendent of Police Dharanesh, Deputy Superintendent of Police Arun Kumar and Police Inspector Sunil Mulimani’s team arrested the accused and seized the motorcycles,” the SP said, adding that Balaji and Gurushant Patil were the accused arrested by the team.

Bandobast for new year’s eve

In view of celebrations welcoming the new year, the police department will intensify security to ensure the law and order, and public peace.

“I have instructed the officers to take precautions within their respective police station limits and take strict action if anything goes wrong,” Mr. Shankar said.

Complaint about online fraud

Referring to cases in which people lost money in online fraud, Mr. Shankar said, “I appeal to the public that they should not entertain any calls from unknown numbers and shouldn’t share passwords or bank details with anyone, as the online fraudsters may call the public to ask for details, putting them under any influence or threats.”

He advised calling 1930, or registering a complaint with https://cybercrime.gov.in for any online fraud.

Candidates for a KPSC examination staging a protest in Sindhanur on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Tension prevailed outside a government degree college at Sindhanur town in Raichur district on Sunday, after hundreds of candidates staged a protest alleging that a Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) examination was conducted after violating norms and demanded that it be conducted again.

The KPSC conducted the examination to fill 97 Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) posts for Kalyana Karnataka. On Sunday, the morning paper was general knowledge which was scheduled between 10 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. 

Road blocked

Blocking the Sindhanur-Kushtagi main road for hours, the protesters alleged that the question papers were not given on time and that the bundle of question papers was unsealed when it was brought inside the examination block. Therefore, there is a suspicion of the questions being leaked, they claimed.

Officers visit

After receiving information, Basanagouda Badarli, MLC, Deputy Superintendent of Police Balappa Talawar, and Sindhanur tahsildar Arun Kumar Desai came there and tried to pacify the protesters. But they continued to protest till 4 p.m., demanding a re-examination.

Allegations denied

Denying allegations of the questions being leaked, Mr. Desai said that the packets of question papers were distributed to all 35 blocks properly. But, owing to confusion by a supervisor while distributing the packets, a booklet pertaining to one block was distributed to another block. It was immediately recollected and distributed to the actual block. 

He also denied the allegation that the papers were not distributed on time and said that CCTV camera footage had confirmed this. The authorities have prepared a detailed report to be sent to the KPSC for further action, he said.

Similar scenes were witnessed in Kalaburagi city, as candidates expressed anger over the late supply of question papers in some examination centres and even resorted to a protest. Some andidates boycotted the exam, alleging that the question paper was leaked. The candidates alleged that a seal on the envelope with question papers was tampered with and opened before the scheduled time.

Some aspirants burst into tears, stating that multiple instances of irregularities while conducting recruitment examinations to various posts had a significant impact on students’ careers.