Latest news with #Prahlad


Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Forest guard shot dead by poachers in Dhenkanal
B Tired of too many ads? go ad free now hubaneswar: A 37-year-old forest guard was shot dead by a gang of four poachers with his own firearm during a melee in Rajmohanpur forest in Dhenkanal district early on Saturday. The deceased was identified as Prahlad Pradhan, in-charge forester of Hindol range. The poachers were arrested. Divisional forest officer (Dhenkanal), Sumit Kar, said Pradhan was leading an eight-member squad on routine patrol when they intercepted four poachers. A scuffle ensued where Prahlad suffered a gunshot injury. He was first taken to a hospital in Hindol and later referred to the Angul district headquarters hospital. However, he died on the way. SDPO (Hindol), Satya Nanda, told TOI, "As per the FIR lodged by the forest department, the forester was shot with his own firearm. There was a tussle between the poachers and the forest squad. One of the poachers snatched the gun and shot in his abdomen. The gunshot injury indicates it is from a sophisticated weapon which is used by forest personnel only." The DFO said, "It was a combination of a scuffle and a few gunshots by poachers. It was not an exchange of fire. Other forest squad members were trying to de-escalate the fight. However, one of the gunshots injured Prahlad. The poachers were arrested and taken to the range office before they were handed over to police." He said the incident occurred between 2.30 and 3.30 am. "We have given firearms to forest patrolling staff, and they can use them as per the need of the situation. The poachers mostly hunt wild boars, sambar and spotted deer for meat," he said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now An ex gratia of Rs 30 lakh was announced by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi for the next of kin of the deceased. The CM condemned the incident and asked the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) to conduct further probe into the incident. PCCF (wildlife), Prem Jha, said, "We will take strict action against the poachers and his associates. In the coming days, we will take preventive measures and also inform police to avert such situations. Wife of the deceased is also a forest guard. So providing a job to the family of Prahlad is unlikely. Only the ex gratia amount will be sanctioned."


The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
BBMP chief engineer Prahlad moves to B-SMILE as Director (Technical)
The Karnataka government has announced the merger of the post of BBMP Engineer-in-chief with Director (technical) of Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited (B-SMILE). As per the Government Order, B.S. Prahlad, who had been holding the BBMP engineer-in-chief post, has now been appointed as Director (Technical) of B-SMILE with immediate effect. The post will be equivalent to that of Principal Engineer, BBMP, reads the order. Mr. Prahlad had been serving as the engineer-in-chief while also holding the posts of Chief Engineer (Road Infrastructure) and Chief Engineer (Storm Water Drain.) The new merger would essentially mean the scrapping of the post of engineer-in-chief at BBMP and potential new appointees to the other two posts. SPV for infrastructure During Karnataka Budget, 2025-26, the government expressed its intent to develop Bengaluru's infrastructure by allocating a ₹7,000 crore grant every year. B-SMILE was formed as a special purpose vehicle to implement major development works in the city and came into effect through an order earlier this month. It is expected that the State government will undertake the construction of projects such as elevated flyovers, white topping of roads and so through the SPV. The latest order noted that the SPV urgently required the post of full-time director (technical), and hence, the merger. 'As the Greater Bengaluru Act has come into existence, it is proposed to divide the BBMP within four months and create new city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Administration Act-2024. Accordingly, it has been decided to merge the post of chief engineer of the BBMP with the Director (Technical), B-SMILE on a full-time basis,' the order read.


Hans India
19-05-2025
- Hans India
8 children among 17 of family killed in city fire
Hyderabad: In a ghastly Sunday morning tragedy, 17 persons, including eight children and women, were killed after a massive fire broke out at a three-storey building in Gulzar Houz near Charminar in the Old City. The devastating incident has left the city in mourning. The fire, which started around 6 am on the ground floor of Srikrishna Pearls building, engulfed the entire structure, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and triggering panic among residents and the adjoining areas. Approximately, 30 people, including the family of a pearl trader and his employees were present at the time. A short circuit in the lower part of the building, which housed jewellery shops is believed to have triggered the fire. The flames quickly spread to the upper two residential floors, trapping several families inside. Many were burnt alive or died of asphyxia, while others succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment in various hospitals, including the Osmania General Hospital. The deceased were identified as Prahlad (70), Munni (70), Rajendar Modi (65), Sumitra (60), Hamey (7), Abhishek (31), Sheetal (35), Priyansh (4), Iraaj (2), Arushi (3), Rishabh (4), Pratham (1.5), Anuyan (3), Varsha (35), Pankaj (36), Rajini (32) and Iddu (4). According to fire department personnel, upon receiving information at 6:16 am, the Moghalpura unit rushed fire tender and crew to the scene of the fire. Firefighting, search and rescue operations were carried out simultaneously. All those rescued were shifted to nearby hospitals. Telangana Fire Department Director General Y Nagi Reddy said 'Due to access constraints and to speed up the search and rescue operations, an assist call was given to other fire stations. Approximately, 12 appliances reached the fire ground and carried out the firefighting and rescue operations.' Nagi Reddy said 'The building had only one entry, like a tunnel. There is only one staircase of one metre to access the first and second floors. This made the escape and rescue operation difficult. The fire was brought under control by 9 am.' The DGP said that 11 vehicles, a firefighting robot, a Bronto Skylift hydraulic platform, 17 fire officers and 70 personnel were involved in extinguishing the fire and rescuing the trapped persons. Osmania General Hospital Resident Medical Officer, Dr. Vijay Kumar said that six persons were confirmed dead upon arrival. One individual was admitted for treatment, while others were shifted to private hospitals in the vicinity. According to an eyewitness, 'When I was returning after the fajr prayers, I heard two women calling for help from the building. We went inside and the room was filled with smoke, due to the fire. There were seven bodies in one room. We took blankets and tried to remove those who were alive," said Mir Zahid. However, family members of the victims blamed the delayed arrival of the ambulance, which led to such a heavy toll. One relative said, '17 members of my family died. A six-year-old girl could have been saved if the ambulance had arrived on time.' They also alleged that the ambulance that finally arrived did not have oxygen masks. Meanwhile, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed deep shock over the fire mishap and expressed condolences to the families of the victims on the phone. The state government announced Rs five lakh ex gratia compensation to families of the deceased. Governor Jishnu Dev Varma said, 'It is heart-wrenching to learn of the precious lives lost and the injuries sustained in this tragic fire. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of immense grief.'


United News of India
18-05-2025
- United News of India
Death toll rises to 17 in Mirchowk fire tragedy; PM, CM announces relief measures
Hyderabad, May 18 (UNI) The death toll in the massive fire that broke out at Gulzar House near Charminar in the early hours of Sunday has tragically risen to 17. According to the Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department, the fire was reported at 6:16 AM at a G+2 building located at Gulzar House Chowrasta, Charminar. A water tender and crew from the Moghalpura fire station were the first to respond. The fire originated on the ground floor and quickly spread to the upper floors. Simultaneous firefighting, search, and rescue operations were launched. Seventeen individuals who were trapped on the first floor were rescued by fire department personnel and shifted to hospitals for treatment. To overcome access limitations and expedite the rescue, assistance was requested from additional fire stations. A total of 12 fire appliances responded to the scene. In all, 11 firefighting vehicles, one advanced fire-fighting robot, 17 fire officers, and 70 personnel were deployed in the operation. It took approximately two hours to bring the blaze under control. The Bronto Skylift hydraulic platform and fire robot played a critical role in the operation. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The value of the property damage is yet to be assessed. The deceased were identified as Prahlad (70), Munni (70), Rajendar Modi (65), Sumitra (60), Hamey (7), Abhishek (31), Sheetal (35), Priyansh (4), Iraaj (2), Arushi (3), Rishabh (4), Pratham (1.5 years), Anuyan (3), Varsha (35), Pankaj (36) Rajini (32) and Iddu (4) Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed deep shock over the incident and ordered immediate rescue and relief measures. He directed senior officials to ensure the best medical treatment for the injured and full support for the victims' families. The CM also personally spoke to some victims and coordinated with Hyderabad in-charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar to oversee the response. Minister Ponnam Prabhakar visited the site and gathered details from Fire Department Director General Nagi Reddy and South Zone DCP Sneha Mishra. He stated that the fire alert was received at 0616 hours and the teams responded promptly. Though many victims were critically injured by the time help arrived, the swift response helped prevent further loss of life. He assured that a full investigation would be conducted and confirmed that preliminary findings indicated it was an accident with no foul play suspected. Union Minister G Kishan Reddy also visited the site and met with the victims' families, offering his condolences and assuring them of all necessary support from both the state and central governments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via X (formerly Twitter), stating he was deeply anguished by the tragic loss of lives. He announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. UNI VV ARN


Hans India
18-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
17 killed in a huge fire near Hyderabad's Charminar
Hyderabad: Seventeen persons, including eight children, were killed in a huge fire that broke out in a building in the old city of Hyderabad on Sunday, police said. The incident occurred at Gulzar Houz near the historic Charminar. The dead include two children and four women. Director General of Police Jitender told media persons after visiting the accident site that 17 people were shifted to various hospitals. "Eight of those shifted to Yashoda Hospital have been declared dead by doctors. We are gathering information about others," he said. Minutes later, Telangana Fire Disaster Response Emergency and Civil Defence issued a statement listing 17 dead. They have been identified as Prahlad (70), Munni (70), Rajendar Modi (65), Sumitra (60), Hamey (7), Abhishek (31), Sheetal (35), Priyansh (4), Iraaj (2), Arushi (3), Rishabh (4), Pratham (1.5), Anuyan (3), Varsha (35), Pankaj (36), Rajini (32) and Iddu (4). According to the statement, the Fire Services Department received the information at 6.16 a.m. that a fire broke out in the ground+2 building. A water tender from Moghalpura rushed to the scene. "Firefighting, Search and Rescue operations were carried out simultaneously, and 17 people, who were trapped on the first floor, were rescued by and shifted to the hospital," it said. It said that due to the access constraints and to speed up the search and rescue operations, an assist call was given to other fire stations, and 12 appliances reached the fire ground and participated in the firefighting and rescue operations. A total of 11 vehicles, one Fire Fighting Robot, 17 Fire officers and 70 personnel were involved in extinguishing the fire and rescuing trapped persons. It took two hours to extinguish the fire The police chief said the fire broke out in a building which has shops on the ground floor and a house on the top floor. "As per preliminary source, the fire was caused by short circuit. People suffocated due to smoke,' he said. The DGP said the firefighters doused the fire, but some smoke was billowing out. Earlier, Hyderabad in-charge minister Ponnam Prabhakar told media after a visit to the spot that majority of the 17 people shifted to hospitals died. He said the Fire Services Department received information at 6.15 a.m. and within minutes, fire tenders reached the spot. "There was no negligence from any side. It was an accident," he said, adding that an inquiry will be conducted into the incident. Director General of Fire Service Y. Nagi Reddy, Commissioner of Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) A. V. Ranganath and other officials visited the spot. A pearl trader had his shop on the ground floor while his family and the families of some workers were residing on the first and second floors. Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, who visited the spot, told media persons that there was some delay in providing relief by the Fire Services Department. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has expressed shock over the fire accident. Spoke to Minister Ponnam Prabhakar about the fire incident on the phone and ordered to intensify rescue operations. He also enquired about the steps being taken for rescue and relief operations by the Police and Fire Service wings. CM Revanth Reddy expressed condolences to the victim's families on the phone and assured them of all assistance from the government.