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NZ Herald
4 days ago
- General
- NZ Herald
Popular Greerton restaurant catches fire
Fire and Emergency Services respond to a fire at Castle 91 Restaurant and Takeaway on Cameron Rd, Greerton. Photo/Supplied. 'Much-loved' Tauranga Indian restaurant Castle 91 caught fire this afternoon. Firefighters were called to the Greerton Village restaurant today at 3.09pm, Fire and Emergency NZ Northern shift manager Michael Anderson said. He said the Fire and Emergency received multiple calls about a fire in a building used as a
News18
22-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
From Traffic Super Cop To Karnataka's DGP: The Journey Of MA Saleem
Last Updated: Saleem is known as a man respected for his calm authority, people-friendly approach, and tackling a monster many governments have had to deal with: Bengaluru's traffic management Saleem is best known for introducing one-way systems on a record 122 roads to decongest traffic. (Saleem's Website) When the official confirmation arrived that Dr MA Saleem was appointed the new Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) of Karnataka, many of his peers and friends in the department said he was the right man for the job. Born on June 25, 1966, Saleem hails from Chikkabanavara, located in northern Bengaluru. He is a 1993-batch IPS officer who will now take charge as the 42nd DG&IGP of the state, a post he has reached after a long and eventful career marked by innovative ideas for people-first policing. But his appointment hasn't come without a ripple or two. Saleem's elevation has meant superseding a senior officer, DGP of Fire and Emergency Services Prashant Kumar Thakur. However, sources within the government indicate that Saleem was a strong frontrunner, with his track record in administrative efficiency in handling operational posts and effective policing tipping the scales in his favour. What makes Saleem stand out is not just his rank, but his reputation. Within the ranks of the Karnataka Police, Saleem is known as a man respected for his calm authority and people-friendly approach. 'Junior officers admire him, seniors trust him, and the constabulary relates to him," one officer said, adding that 'he's a low-profile officer, never showy. But his work speaks". Back in 2022, when Bengaluru made global headlines for being the second-slowest city in the world in terms of average traffic speed, it became a national embarrassment and also made international headlines. The average speed during peak hours had dropped to a crawl of less than 18 kmph. The then chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, who held charge of Bengaluru development, set traffic management as a top priority. The Bommai government brought in Saleem for a rare second stint as Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic)—on a specially created post—with the responsibility given to him to once again do what he had done earlier: manage Bengaluru's traffic chaos. 'He (Saleem) is the right candidate for the post. He has vast experience in handling Bengaluru's traffic and has a PhD in traffic management as well," Praveen Sood, who was then DGP Karnataka, had told News18. Saleem's doctorate degree was on his pet subject—traffic management. He obtained it from Bangalore University in 2010, and his thesis was 'Traffic Management in Metropolitan Cities: A framework to provide sustainable strategies to overcome traffic congestion and ensure greater safety on road." Saleem is best known for introducing one-way systems on a record 122 roads to decongest traffic. Apart from this, he created 'Safe Routes to School', Automated Traffic Challaning System, the Public Eye' initiative for citizen-led enforcement, and Local Area Traffic Management Plans to decentralise traffic management. His earlier tenure had already seen the introduction of helmet and seat belt enforcement, display cards for auto drivers, and citizen engagement programmes—all with one aim: making traffic management less about punishment and more about participation. A personal episode of this reporter is an anecdote that captures his people-first approach. At a private event, a young child met Saleem who was introduced as the traffic commissioner and a senior police officer. Hearing the word 'police", the child took a step back and held the mother's hand firmly. Gently, Saleem crouched down and said: 'You shouldn't be scared of the police. We are your friends." Then he turned to the mother and said, 'We have to build trust in the police. That is how people, and even kids, will feel safer." Another senior colleague of Saleem recounts an incident that spoke of his character as a police officer. Back in 2006, when a speeding BMTC Volvo bus ploughed into a crowded bus shelter near HAL Airport Road, killing two and injuring 20, a furious mob went on a rampage—torching vehicles, attacking police, and bringing the entire area to a standstill. The senior officer who was present that day recalled, 'Saleem sir was DCP Traffic then. But he rushed to the spot with me, knowing fully well that it was technically not his jurisdiction — it was a law and order situation. But he showed up, stood with us, helped control the mob, and ensured that backup forces could enter the area. He never for a minute thought that it was an issue of traffic or law and order to handle — it was only about being a police officer." Saleem also launched 'Aasare" helplines for the elderly, 'Spandana" for women, 'Makkala Sahayavani" for children, and the 'Garuda" police patrol system. He was instrumental in developing the Special Action Force in several districts and introduced Simputers for traffic enforcement in Bengaluru long before digital policing became the norm. 'He started Makkala Sahayavani when he was SP—a helpline exclusively for children. It was such a hit that we SPs in other districts replicated it immediately," said DGP Pronab Mohanty, who served in another district as an SP. As Director General of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Karnataka, he headed the CID and has overseen several high-profile and sensational Special Investigation Teams (SITs), including the IMA fraud case involving over 74,000 victims; the multi-crore cryptocurrency hacking cases; the Hassan multi-sexual harassment case; the misappropriation of Rs 94 crore at the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation; the Police Sub-Inspector Recruitment Scam; and the sexual harassment and extortion allegations against a sitting MLA, among others. He was also awarded the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service (2017), the Medal for Meritorious Service (2009), a National Award for e-Governance, and the IRTE Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for his contributions to road safety. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Bengaluru Traffic karnataka police news18 specials Location : Bengaluru, India, India First Published: May 22, 2025, 11:35 IST News india From Traffic Super Cop To Karnataka's DGP: The Journey Of MA Saleem
New Indian Express
08-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Mock drill instills a sense of confidence among citizens in Karnataka
BENGALURU: With a two-minute-long siren at the Civil Defence headquarters at Ulsoor in the city, Operation Abhyas, a mock drill, began around 4 pm on Wednesday with the rescue of two people stranded on Ulsoor Lake island. The drill emphasised the importance of understanding siren protocols, two different types of sirens and know-how to respond to each. Over a hundred citizens, including college students and senior citizens, witnessed the drill and learned how to react during an emergency and the meaning of Code Red and Code Green alerts. Around eight mock drill scenarios were conducted by the Civil Defence staff in coordination with the Fire and Emergency Services, SDRF, medical teams, Home Guards, wireless teams, and members of the NCC, Bharat Scouts and Guides.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Mock drill conducted as part of 'Operation Abhyas' in Bengaluru
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Authorities on Wednesday carried out a large-scale civil defence mock drill at various locations in the city under ' Operation Abhyas ' (Operation Exercise) in line with the direction of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The drill was part of a nationwide preparedness exercise ordered by the to officials, soon after the siren blew at 3.48 pm at various locations, civil defence personnel, police, fire and emergency services swung into drill included rescue operations in the event of fire, removing people from beneath debris, evacuating people from high-rises, and providing medical emergency drill went on for about half an per the direction of the MHA to conduct a Civil Defence Exercise called "Operation Abhyas," the first mock drill was conducted at the premises of the Director General, Civil Defence at 4 exercises were conducted in parts of Karnataka, including was no citywide blackout mock drill in Bengaluru. Officials said the demonstrations were restricted to the Fire and Emergency Services campus in Halasuru, where it was held from 6.40 pm to 7 to a statement from Home Minister G Parameshwara 's office, the mock operation and awareness exercise was organised by the Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services Department under the direction of the Central Defence department and the Home department. It was held in Halasuru."Various types of mock demonstrations were held, including creating a fictitious emergency and rescuing citizens, extinguishing fires, and providing first aid to the injured," the statement further said that the Fire and Emergency Services personnel demonstrated the precautions that citizens should take immediately after the siren sounds, including rescuing people trapped in buildings using a well-equipped aerial ladder speaking to reporters, Parameshwara said that everyone is aware of the prevailing situation in the the events of 1972, the Minister said, "We can recall the incidents that took place in the country then. We are facing a similar situation now. The recent incident in Kashmir has hurt every Indian. Twenty-six people were attacked indiscriminately. It hurts to remember the killing of innocent people and children."Parameshwara noted that soldiers guarding the border have endured all this, and said the defence forces carried out attacks on nine terrorist bases in Pakistan at around 1 am."However, somewhere, the shadow of war has covered the entire country. There is a shadow of war hovering over India and Pakistan. We all need to prepare for this," he said that the central government has already instructed all states to create awareness among the public-how to protect themselves, what their responsibilities are, and how to maintain peace in such a chaotic situation.
Express Tribune
30-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Kolkata Hotel fire kills 14, trapped guests cling to ledges and balconies
At least 14 people, including two children, lost their lives in a massive blaze that tore through the Rituraj Hotel in central Kolkata's congested Burrabazar area on Tuesday night. Around 50 people were believed to be in the six-storey hotel when the fire broke out around 8:15 PM, reportedly starting in a room near the kitchen on the first floor. As smoke and flames rapidly engulfed the structure, terrified guests climbed onto window ledges and rooftops to escape. Mobile phone flashlights were used to signal for help, while firefighters deployed hydraulic ladders to rescue people from balconies and narrow ledges. Despite rescue efforts, most victims were found on staircases, with authorities suspecting suffocation as the main cause of death. At least two people were seriously injured, and one guest reportedly died after jumping from the rooftop in panic. Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose confirmed that eight of the bodies had been identified and noted that the hotel's internal firefighting systems appeared to have failed. 'A forensic team is examining the site, and an inquiry is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire,' he added. Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma said a Special Investigation Team had been formed to examine lapses in evacuation protocols and fire safety infrastructure. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident, posting on X: 'Anguished by the loss of lives.' He announced ex-gratia compensation for the victims' families. West Bengal's Social Welfare Minister Sashi Panja called it an 'unfortunate incident,' adding that 'some victims died due to suffocation.' BJP's Sukanta Majumdar blamed the state government and called for 'stricter monitoring' of safety measures to prevent such tragedies. The disaster echoes similar deadly fires in Indian cities, often attributed to poor planning and lax enforcement of safety codes. Last year, 27 died in a Gujarat arcade fire, and 10 newborns perished in a blaze in a Jhansi hospital.
