Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 31 ℃ | Low: 22 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers.
🧐 Did you know? Bengaluru was the first Indian city to offer heli-taxis.
🐀 Rat poisoning
19 students from Adarsh Nursing College in Bengaluru were hospitalised after experiencing breathing difficulties due to rat repellent sprayed by hostel management.
What’s it about? The incident occurred when the management sprayed the repellent to address a rat problem, but the chemicals caused several students to fall ill. West Bengaluru Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) S Girish reported that among the 19 affected students, three were in serious condition and required admission to the ICU.
- The remaining students received treatment and were reported to be in stable condition.
- DCP Girish announced that a case would be registered against the hostel management staff under Section 286 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Further action: Section 286 of the BNS deals with negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substances. Further investigations and legal actions are expected as more details emerge.
💣 Rameshwaram Cafe blast’s ISIS connection
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a supplementary chargesheet against two individuals, Abdul Matheen Taha and Mussavir Hussain Shazib, in connection with the Al-Hind ISIS module case in Karnataka.
What’s it about? These individuals were previously absconding but were later arrested in relation to a bomb blast at Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru. The NIA alleges that Taha and Shazib were involved in a larger conspiracy orchestrated by the international terrorist organisation ISIS, which included targeted killings and other terrorist activities.
- Taha is believed to have been self-radicalized and recruited Shazib and others to join the Al-Hind Trust, a group allegedly formed to promote ISIS activities in India.
- With this supplementary chargesheet, the total number of individuals charged in the Al-Hind ISIS module case has reached eighteen.
Aetiology: The NIA’s investigation revealed that Taha established contact with an online handler known as Bhai alias Laptop Bhai in 2018. Subsequently, Taha introduced Bhai to Mehaboob Pasha, who played a key role in forming the Al-Hind Trust.
🪓 Mature tree chopped
The BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) recently chopped down a 40-year-old rain tree in RR Nagar sparking protests from environmentalists and local residents.
What’s it about? The tree, which was healthy and stood at the corner of a road, was felled just five days after a request from BM Prasanna Kumar, a resident of Vishwabharathi Housing Complex Society. Kumar claimed that the tree’s branches extended over the road and had caused damage to two cars.
- The BBMP’s deputy conservator of forests, BLG Swamy, had approved the request based on a spot inspection conducted by zonal forest officials.
- Residents and activists argue that the BBMP failed to verify the health of the tree before approving its removal.
Late response: When the civic body began cutting the tree, concerned residents attempted to contact forest officials but received no response. They then rushed to the police to file a complaint, but by the time they returned, the tree had already been chopped down.
🛤️ Track restoration underway
Restoration work is underway to clear the Mangaluru-Bengaluru railway track between Sakleshpur and Ballupete after a landslide caused significant disruption.
What’s it about? The track was initially blocked by a hill collapse a week ago, and on Friday, mud slid again at the same location, leading to another suspension of train services. Efforts to remove the mud have been ongoing for three days, with four to five Hitachi machines involved in the operation.
- To prevent additional landslides, workers are also clearing mud from the top of the hill.
- However, the situation remains difficult as mud continues to slide down, filling the railway track with a mixture of mud and slime.
Completion estimate: In addition to the mud removal, work on constructing a retaining wall is progressing rapidly to prevent further collapses. Despite these measures, the loose mud in the area presents ongoing challenges, and officials estimate that it will take several more days before the track can be restored and train services can resume.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Is Rameshwaram Cafe overhyped?
- Rameshwaram Cafe is overhyped.
- Rameshwaram Cafe is not overhyped.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What can be some humane ways to get rid of rats?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Bengaluru police have arrested a rape suspect within 10 hours of the incident in the ‘lift’ case.
- The unfinished stormwater drain at the A.K. Gopalan Road has become a hotbed for mosquitoes and accidents.
- Nrupathunga University will be holding its first-ever graduation ceremony on August 21.
- Air India has started direct services between London Gatwick and Bengaluru.
- The Lalbagh flower show drew over 8 lakh visitors and nearly ₹3 crore in revenue.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I can perform a wheelie: 17.7%
- I cannot perform a wheelie: 82.4% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What do you generally do to spend time during a power outage?
Santhosh: “Ah, haven’t faced it since 2014 after we got UPS, but I miss those days. Power outage was the gathering time with neighbours, chit chat, also there used to be lot of street vendors who will sell things specifically during that period. I miss my Bengaluru days.”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!