The Daily Observer VOL 14 Issue 4

The Daily

Observer Volume 14 | Issue 4

BRIEFS City cops bust gambling racket, 12 held The City Crime Branch busted a gambling racket and seized around 1.6 lakhs in cash.

(Page 2) Sex workers still waiting for labor laws Sex workers in Bangalore are demanding recognition, regulation and labor benefits instead of rehabilitation centers.

(Page 3) Teachers angry over eight week delay in pay Teachers and staff at the KWAB have not been paid their salaries for the last two months due to lack of funds.

(Page 4)

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Human Rights Commissions short of ‘HUMANS’ Nikhil M Babu Human rights commissions across the country are drowning under pending cases.

The number of cases not disposed of each year by Karnataka State Human Rights Commission has increased from 19% in 2010 to 44% in 2013.

And the total number of pending cases has been constantly increasing for the past seven years. As of august 1st 2014 there were 15,950 pending cases.

There has also been a 72per cent decrease in the suo-motu cases filed by the commission in 2013 when compared to 2009. That means the commission in Karnataka is largely failing to take action of its own accord against human rights abuses - a clear breach of its watchdog status.

“We have only had an acting chairman since 2012 and there are only two members in what is supposed to be a three-member commission,” said Hungund, a retired district judge and member of the commission.

The commission consists of the Chairman and two other members.

“Earlier the cases were divided among three members, but now two of us have to work on everything.

This is one of the reasons for the increase in the number of pending cases,” he added.

“Bangalore has developed very fast and that is the reason for the increase in the number of cases,” said another officer of KSHRC. Worryingly, the same picture is reflected across the country.

In Kerala the number of cases not disposed of each year has increased from 5% in 2011 to 22.13% in 2013.

The National Human Rights Commission for India is also in trouble. In 2011 it failed to dispose of just 2.4per cent of its cases. By this year that had increased to 27.32per cent.

The number of cases not disposed of has constantly increased from 2,332 in 2011 to 14,049 in 2014.

The Goa Human Rights Commission member, J.A Keny, told The Daily Observer that it was started only a year ago and people are really

aware of it.

“We get two to three complaints a day and we are not able to dispose of the old cases,” he added.

In GHRC, almost 78% of the cases registered were not disposed of in 2013.

The government, however, appears to be taking the situation lightly. Over a quarter, 26per cent, of state human rights commissions across India don’t have a chairman.

Jammu and Kashmir, where the controversial ‘Armed Forces Special Powers Act’ is in place, also

Meeera Saxena, acting Chairperson of KSHRC Picture Courtesy : Ranika Sharma

Justice C.G. Hungud, one of the members of KSHRC doesn’t have a chairman.

According to the National Human Rights Commission website, seven out of 26 state human rights commissions do not have a chairman.

In Rajasthan four out of the seven posts including the Chairman are vacant.

Himachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tamil Nadu each have two vacant posts including the Chairman.

For the past seven years, Bangalore Urban accounted for almost 33% of complaints registered in Karnataka each year. It recorded almost four to five times the number of cases than the district in the second place every year.

“In Bangalore there is more awareness and it’s easier for the people to access it, so the numbers of cases reported are more,” said Meera Saxena, Chairman of KSHRC.

Trio targeting lone women caught with gold worth 20 lakhs Pulaha Roy Devdatta Sukhdev Police retrieved 765 grams of gold worth Rs. 20 lakhs from three accused chain snatchers on November 18 in Bangalore.

The accused, Sanaulla alias Sana, Sadiq, Suresh Kumar were apprehended by Kalasipalyam police.

Station House Officer, Anil Kumara, said: "The trio has FIRs filed against them in 18 police stations throughout the city."

The chains recovered by the police

A total of 30 gold chains were recovered from the trio, weighing 765 grams, adding up to a total of Rs. 20 lakhs.

Police say the trio targeted women who walked alone on the streets, early in the morning and in the evening.

They would advance towards their victims on bikes, the pillion would snatch the chain and then flee, according to the charges.

Sadiq was the first to be arrested on October 18, whereas Sanaulla and Suresh were absconding.

Following an investigation and a tip from their source, Kalasipalyam Police apprehended the absconders on November 18, in Kengeri.

Sanaulla is still being held at Kalasipalyam police station. Sadiq and Suresh Kumar are in judicial custody.

The Kalasipalyam Police declined to comment further until the case is tried in the court.

One of the three accused

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Thursday, November 27, 2014

The Daily Observer

Councilor dies of pills overdose; BBMP mourns Nikunj Ohri BBMP declares holiday over death of corporator who was accused of shoplifting.

H.S. Lalitha took an overdose of hypertension pills and was admitted in a city hospital two months ago.

She was charged with stealing four tops from a shop in April and police at that time charged her with shoplifting.

The City Corporation’s council meeting which was to be held today was cancelled because of her death.

The agenda of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagar Palike’s (BBMP) council meeting was to announce the building of eleven new markets in the city.

However, the council decided to declare a holiday instead as a mark of respect.

Dr. Chandrashekar, medical director of Sagar Hospital, said: “This is strictly a medico-legal case so we cannot provide much information. The patient was admitted with us since the past two months. She was in a bad state and that is why she was here for so long.”

He said that she died yesterday at 6.05pm and they handed over the body to Girinagar Police Station, who in turn sent it to KIMS Hospital for post mortem.

K. Ranganna, Deputy Mayor, BBMP said: “She was one of the best BBMP

H.S. Lalitha, BBMP councillor who died members that we have and she died unexpectedly. It is a big loss for the corporation and BBMP has declared a holiday as a mark of respect.”

Ravi Subramanya, sitting MLA, Basavagundi, said: “It is very unfortunate that we lost her, she was serving her constituency and was recognized by all. May her soul rest in peace.”

Indira, Corporator and ex-Deputy Mayor, said: “She was a very active lady and a good speaker at the assembly. She has really done some good work for her constituency. The commissioner has declared a holiday today as a mark of respect.”

Sitting MLA Ravi Subramanya

@nelson_ashleigh We play sport because of the joy it brings to ourselves and fans.

Let us play with #PhilHughes passion and enjoyment in his honour. @ibnlive RT @IBNLiveSports: India's practice match against CA XI cancelled to honour Phillip Hughes

Deputy Mayor K. Ranganna

Gambling racket busted at hotel Apoorva Choubey Asmita Kundu Twelve men were arrested yesterday after the City Crime Branch busted a gambling racket and seized around one lakh sixty thousand in cash.

According to the police, crime branch officers Srinivas and Firoz Khan raided the Sharq Residency Hotel in M.G.Road at 10 pm.

M.H. Nagathe, Inspector of Ulsoor Police Station, said: “The gambling had been going on in the hotel since two days. Along with the cash, 14 mobiles were also seized. They were arrested under section 79 and 80 of the Karnataka Police

@BPACofficial: From Friday, @BlrCityPolice will intensify night patrolling during weekends to prevent anti-social activities #BSAFE http://bit.ly/1vQ0 rjd @ShyamSPrasad: Parents can choose medium of instruction. You cannot force everyone to watch only dubbed films in Kannada.

The hotel, Sharq Residency where the raid took place

Inspector M.H Nagathe at Ulsoor Police Station

Tweets of the day

Act. The manager of the hotel, Irshaad, was also arrested.

“They have been taken to Mayo Hall Court today. They are all around 25 to 30 year olds and running small businesses nearby. This is the first gambling racket busted in the last one year.”

Hanif, Manager of Sharq Residency, said: “These men checked into the hotel two days ago in a room on the second floor. I was not aware of this racket, nor was the other manager who has

been arrested.”

Hotel housekeeper Dheeraj said, “All the guests were asked to leave the hotel after the raid and we were asked to clean the room.”

Mohammad Salim, receptionist, said: “I was sleeping when the raid took place. I do not know anything else except that they were to be produced in court today.”

The ATM guard near the hotel confirmed the raid but declined to give any information.

@EconomicTimes: Justice CK Prasad assumes charge as new Press Council of India chief

Thursday, November 27, 2014

The Daily Observer

New missing children bureau has a 'success' rate of less than 5 per cent Sreemoyee Chatterjee Just 75 children of the 1610 reported missing in the Hassan district last year were found and reunited with their families.

The Missing Children Bureau at Hassan in the Malnad District of Karnataka was set up last December as the area is a hotspot in the state for reports of missing children.

The National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) revealed that Karnataka registered the maximum number of missing children in South India in 2013.

According to their report, in 2014, 1610 missing children have been registered in Karnataka.

Between January and November this year, 767 boys and 843 girls have been reported missing.

Divyanarayanappa, District Child Protection Officer said, “Most of the missing children remain untracked, and among those, most of them are girls which clearly indicate trafficking.”

He said, “These girls are kidnapped and abducted, and later used for the flesh trade.”

Bhaskar, Chief Executive Officer of the NGO Vidyaranya, said, “Due to the increasing number of missing children in Karnataka and Bangalore, we started our project on Missing Children Bureau in December,

Bhaskar, CEO of Vidyaranya

2013.”

“Hassan is one of the most vulnerable areas due to which it was selected for the location of this purpose. In the last year we have recovered 75 missing children only from Hassan and handed them over to their parents,”he continued.

He added, “Missing Children Bureau has been set up in collaboration with Bangalore Oniyavara Seva Coota (BOSCO), and it is a nodal organization for Hassan.”

Kamala, (name changed), mother of 10-year-old Nisha (name changed), who was kidnapped eight months back and was recovered by the Missing Children Bureau, said: “I never thought of getting back my daughter from those criminals. I was sure that I lost her to sex trade and gave up all hope.”

She expressed hope that all other lost children would also be recovered.

Divasanti, Superintendent of Department of Child and Women Development, Bangalore, said, “In Karnataka, around 10 children go missing every day, out of which two cannot be traced.”

She added, “Karnataka is in an alarming condition in terms of rate of missing children in the last two years.”

Bhaskar said, “We collect information about the missing children in collaboration with the police and after rescuing them we shelter them in Sarojini Rehabilitation Centre, Hassan.”

“Within 24 hours, we need to produce the rescued victims before Child Welfare Committee and after certain legal procedure, they are handed over to their respective parents,” he continued.

He added, “We have started arranging for awareness programs in different areas of Karnataka, which give advice to parents to prevent such cases. Children of different age groups are given sessions on precau-

Sex workers in Bangalore are demanding recognition, regulation and labor benefits instead of rehabilitation centers.

Karnataka Sex Workers Union demands recognition as a labor entity with both regulations and privileges instead of “unnecessary raids and rehab centers.”

“The regulations will improve acceptance of the profession in the society against the taboo,”

News Digest A 23-year-old youth bit the girl he had been stalking for years. The man had been harassing the girl for a long time, and finally landed up at her office today, where he had to be pulled back by other office workers as he was biting her. He was put behind bars by the South East division Police Station, where he will be detained for 14 days.

Children who have been rescued by the Missing Children Bureau are fortunate to be admitted to a school.

The office of the the missing Children Bureau in Hassan tions to be taken when they are alone or at risk.”

“Public Training Programs are arranged to make them aware as to how to act when they come across a missing child,”he concluded.

Rachikana, coordinator of Vidyaranya, said: “Our Missing Children Bureau has been furnished with

experienced staff and works in a joint effort with the Department of Child and Women Development, Hassan, Department of Police, and District Commissioner’s Office.”

He added, “We are trying our best to recover them but it is a verytough job.”

Sex workers still waiting for labor laws Punita Maheshwari

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said Nisha, president of the union. "The amount of money the government puts into rehabilitation centers could be utilized to implement policies that protect rights of sex workers. Raids are anyway carried by local news channels to gain popularity," she added.

The Supreme Court had given statements in 2011, in which they mooted giving recognition to the profession. "We have been trying to get our demands sanctioned from the labor department, but nothing substantial has been done yet," said Veena, a member of the union.

On the other hand, Narsimhamurthy, Additional Commissioner of Labor Commission, Karnataka blames this delay on the government policies. He said, “We work on policies of the organized sectors. Until the SC suggestions are completed by government, we cannot do anything."

"We regularly face problems involving verification of our ration cards and voter IDs. These are the basic rights of which we are denied," said Yana, a sex worker.

The union receives irregular funding from KSAPS, Karnataka State Aids Prevention Society.

The additional Project Director, Karur Badari

Members protesting for labour laws.

Courtesy: KSWU of KSAPS said, "The union is not looking for HIV/AIDS services, it wants recognition."

"Governmental recognition will give them protection, that way a lot of lives can be saved," said, Rajesh Srinivasan, coordinator of Sangama, an NGO which works for the benefit of sex workers.

The BJP have taken a decision to give a makeover to 18 markets in the city.

11 of these will be redeveloped jointly by the BJP while the remaining seven only by BBMP. Both the Congress and the JDS slammed the move.

A petition filed by actress Mythriya Gowda, according to which she sought declaration of Kartik Gowda as her husband, was dismissed at a family court today. The judge cited lack of evidence for her allegations. Kartik Gowda is the son of Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda.

There was joy for almost 500 students when they got their degrees back from Mysore University, following High Court’s order. The allegations on these students were that they had bribed officials to have them enter higher marks than what they got.

Bangalore University vice-chancellor B Thimme Gowda alleged that about one-fourth of the lecturers in BU were slacking off. He accused a few lecturers of working just before the inspection. He said these lecturers might be made to undergo compulsory retirement.

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Thursday, November 27, 2014

The Daily Observer

Blind school staff angry over delay in pay Aadhira Anandh Teachers and staff at the Karnataka Welfare Association for the Blind(KWAB) have not been paid their salaries for the last two months due to lack of funds.

The KWAB is an NGO affiliated to the All India Confederation of the Blind. There are 95 students from economically poor backgrounds being taught there.

Staff are now worried that they do not have enough funds to take care of the children. They said parents admit the children in the hope that the organization would do something for them, but they were struggling every month to make ends meet.

Sandhya, a teacher, said, “We haven’t been paid for the last two months and this is not the first time this has happened.”

She continued, “It happens time and again and we are in a very bad situation where we do not have money for our expenses and end up borrowing.”

“We cannot blame the organiza-

“The government follows the system of more corruption and no commitment.” tion because we know that there is a lack of funds. We basically depend on donors. But then donors do not give money for staff and teachers. So we are left out,"she added.

Prema, Public Relation Assistant, said: “I haven’t been paid for two months now and it has been recurring for a while. We have submitted our proposal to the government and have asked for grants.”

“But they are taking a lot of time and they say the formalities and processes are the reasons.

We have submitted everything they

asked for, but again they will give some or the other reason and delay it,” she added.

S. Parashivamurthy, General Secretary of KWAB said: “The government policies are too weak and slow. Whenever we talk to a government official, they say that money is not a problem. We have no idea where the money is going.”

“The little donation that we get is used for food, accommodation and clothing of children and then we run short of funds for medical expenses.

In this situation how will we pay our teachers and staff ?,”he added.

He continued,“The government follows the system of more corruption and no commitment.”

T.S Jayana, the Director of the Department of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens, said, “We have lots of proposals like this. And we have not denied grants to anyone.”

He continued, “ The issue is that the formalities are tedious. It will take time and we cannot do anything about it. That is the system we follow here.”

Mr S. Parashivamurthy, General Secretary of KWAB

‘I mourn a talent cut short in his prime’ Prem Panicker on the death of Phil Hughes

Australian cricketer Phil Hughes, 25, died after being hit by a ball on the back of his neck.

He was hit by 22-year-old bowler Sean Abbott while he was batting in a domestic match in Sydney.

The shocking death of this young cricket-loving batsman startled the cricket world.

His death calls into question bouncers, protective gear and the ability to avoid such outcomes in future.

'Hughes’ death is tragic, as is any

senseless, sudden death that cuts someone off in his prime. However it is not, as it is being made out in some quarters, a fault of the bouncer as a legitimate cricket delivery, nor is it a black mark on the bowler (who, I am guessing, is now in full trauma mode).

For this reason: batsmen do get hit by bouncers. Always have, during cricket’s 100-plus history. And except for the last say two decades, or less, batsmen have done this without protection, on wickets far more dangerous, being uncovered, than any

we have today. Batsmen have faced the legendary West Indian quicks, and combinations like Lille-Thompson-Hogg-Pascoe, with no protection. There was no limit on how many bouncers could be bowled in an over then, by the way.

My point is, this is a freak incident. You don’t die from being hit by a bouncer. Some peculiar combination of circumstances caused this.

And it is a one-off; it does not make cricket a dangerous sport, at least not more than it was last week, nor does it call for cricketing legislation.

One ironic point in passing: Back when there was no protection, cricketers were taught how to avoid bouncers by swaying back and away, while the eye remained fixed on its trajectory. In school, such training started with a ball in a sock on a string, suspended just around neck high and swung at you with great force. You had to stand there with no bat, and swing out of line. Over and over again. I’ve gone through this training, btw. Then they slammed the ball into a matting wicket — a tennis ball made wet, so it hurt like hell, or a plastic ball.

Again, you had to drop your wrists and sway out of line.

Why are subcontinental batsmen so adept off their legs? We don’t get the privilege of a pair of pads when we are kids. Our legs are unprotected, we play on cement roads. We learn therefore to protect our legs with our bat. The best is to glide or flick.

The advent of protective gear has given batsmen a false confidence, and also synchronously led to a lesser need to practice the basic skill of avoidance. Look at the im-

ages — Hughes is looking down at the ground, not where the ball is coming. He is ducking head first into the ball. And at the point of impact, the ball is not even as high as his head had he been standing upright.

As techniques go, that is a classic demonstration of how NOT to play a bouncer.

My point is not to blame Hughes for his own death, but to point out that while tragic in itself, the fault really lies in the skills we no longer teach, because hey, the batsman has a helmet so if he is hit it’s not a big worry. Akin, for instance, to the guy who drives rashly, thinking he is wearing his seat belt and has airbags in the car so he is ok.

I mourn a talent cut short in his prime, but I blame neither the delivery, nor the bowler. A bouncer is far less dangerous (I am assuming if you are going to play a sport, you learn its mechanics, its physics, before you set out) than say getting into a ring and letting a guy thump you around the head with 16 oz boxing gloves.'

Prem Panicker, one of India’s foremost cricket writers, was a founding member of Rediff and is the current Managing Editor of Yahoo India.

He has some home truths on the death of Phil Hughes.

OBSERVER Team : Editor - Raya Ghosh, Chief Sub Editor - Ridhi Agrawal, News Editor - Samreen Tungekar, News Desk - Tushar Kaushik, Sub Editors - Sharangee Dutta, Soumya Chatterjee, C.L. Ramakrishnan, Design Head - Vignesh S.G., Design Desk - Sameer Deshpande, Suharika Rachavelpula, Picture Editor - Saheli Sen Gupta, Proofreader - Shruti Suresh, Sreemoyee Chatterjee