Girl Student Ends Life Over Harassment by Schoolmate

Nellore:A Class 10 student N. Lavanya committed suicide at her residence in Fathekhanpeta area of Nellore city on Thursday.

The 14-year-old’s parents have alleged that harassment by a fellow student and negligence by school management has driven their daughter to take the extreme step. They have demanded a thorough investigation and strict action against those responsible.

According to a complaint lodged by Lavanya’s father Thirupal, who works as a supervisor in an electronics showroom, his daughter studying at the Priyanka English Medium High School faced continuous harassment from her classmate Chintala Ashwin. He repeatedly sent her messages professing love, causing her mental distress.

Thirupal said he lodged a complaint with the school correspondent Kakani Srinivasa Rao. Despite assuring that such incidents will not recur in future, the school management allegedly ignored the issue.

About 15 days ago, the girl attempted suicide by inflicting injury to her hand, following which the parents again approached the school management. However, the father alleged that the correspondent behaved rudely and warned the parents to “take care of their daughter.”

On Thursday, around 1 pm, when other family members had been away, the girl hanged herself at their residence with her chunni. The incident came to light when her brother returned home for lunch and found the house door open. He immediately informed his father, who rushed home.

The bereaved parents have lodged a complaint with police to conduct a detailed investigation and take stringent action against all those found responsible to ensure justice for their daughter.

Chinna Bazar police circle inspector Ch. Koteswar Rao said they have registered a case and are investigating the case from all angles.

Enforce POSH act rigorously, says women’s panel head

Vijayawada:State Women's Commission chairperson Rayapati Sailaja has called for stringent enforcement of the Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 (POSH).

This, she said, would ensure women can work in safe and harassment-free environments.

Speaking at a district-level awareness programme held at the Collectorate on Thursday, Sailaja said such incidents were occurring not only in organised entities but also in informal sectors such as agricultural fields and daily wage sector.

Citing National Crime Bureau records, she noted that workplace-related sexual harassment was rising, with only one in three incidents being reported.

"A developed India and prosperous Andhra Pradesh are possible only if women work freely alongside men," Sailaja stated, adding that many victims remain silent due to fear of social and domestic pressure.

Joint collector Ashutosh Srivastava said the administration would provide complete support to victims through internal committees, She Boxes, and coordination between ICDS, police, and health departments.

MLA Galla Madhavi said lasting change required a shift in mindset, which should begin at the family level. A special grievance cell would be established every Tuesday in the West constituency to address women's issues and receive petitions, the MLA stated.

Ganta holds grievance meet as Rajam MLA flags concerns

Visakhapatnam:Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao held a grievance redressal meeting at the Madhurawada zonal office on Thursday.

Rajam MLA Kondru Murali Mohan raised concern over the presence of a crematorium near his college, BITS, in PM Palem. He said students were facing inconvenience, and requested that an alternative site be identified for the crematorium.

In response, Ganta directed the officials to assess the feasibility of relocating the site.

Many persons and organisations submitted petitions, like the loss of livelihoods for small traders due to the removal of stalls in Yendada and Madhurawada. Citizens requested improvements to drainage systems, roads, and the drinking water supply.

In the evening, Ganta laid the foundation for development projects worth `7.74 crore in GVMC Ward 8. These include new roads, drainage systems, parks, upgrades to the crematorium, and lake development.

Ganta said projects costing `150 crore are under way in Bheemili and highlighted future initiatives, including a `500 crore drinking water project, a `465 crore underground drainage system, and a `16 crore beautification plan for Sagar Nagar beach.

He also noted that Madhurawada is emerging as an IT hub, with major companies expected to create a substantial number of jobs.

Excise court refuses to grant bail to Jogi brothers in spurious liquor case

Vijayawada:An excise court has refused to grant bail to YSRC leader and former minister Jogi Ramesh and others in a case of spurious liquor here on Thursday.

The accused in the case, including Jagan Mohan Rao (A2), Jogi Ramesh (A18) and Jogi Ramu (A19) and others, had applied for the bail. However, the court refused their plea and granted bail to some of the accused.

As the remand period ended on Thursday, the authorities produced 13 accused in the case before the court and it extended the remand period up to December 31.

Ex-MP expresses concern over change in name of MGNREGS

Kakinada:Former Amalapuram Lok Sabha member G.V. Harsha Kumar has expressed concern over the central government changing the name of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

The scheme would now be known as the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM-G) Bill.

Addressing the media in Rajamahendravaram, he noted on Thursday that the UPA governments of Manmohan Singh had introduced many welfare steps, including the MGNREGA, which provided 100 days of work to the labourers in rural areas per annum.

However, in the past 11 days, prime minister Narendra Modi wrote off `25 lakhs crore loans taken by the corporate entities.

He noted that the UPA government had waived off the farmers loans to an extent of `70,000 crore.

Harsha Kumar said the IndiGo crisis was created by Modi and there was a conspiracy to hurt the image of civil aviation minister Rammohan Naidu on this issue.

He also found fault with the projects proposed on the Godavari river. He requested the courts to intervene in the matter and take up the projects on Godavari on suo moto basis and do justice to the people, so as to curb future disasters.

Jt. collector orders preparations for upcoming festivals in Konaseema

Kakinada:Konaseema joint collector T. Nishanthi has instructed Endowments, Revenue and Police departments to coordinate and organise the upcoming prominent festivals in the district in a fool proof manner.

The festivals include Mukkoti Ekadasi, Makar Sankranti and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Kalyanam at Antarvedi, Sri Venkateswara Swamy Uttara Dwara Darshan at Vadapalli, Bhimeswara Swamy Annual Kalyanotsavam at Draksharamam, and Chaduvula Panduga at Sri Siddi Vinayaka Temple at Ayinavill, among others.

Nishanthi pointed out that Mukkoti Ekadasi will be celebrated on December 30, Prabhala Utsav on January 16, Sani Trayodasi pooja on January 31 and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Kalyanotsavam in February.

The joint collector wanted all temples cleaned and arrangements made to ensure that devotees face no inconvenience. She said the Bhimeswaram Kalyanotsavam will be held on January 28 at Draksharamam, chariot procession on January 31 and Theppotsavam on February 1.

Those who participated in the meeting organised on the occasion included DRO K. Madhavi, RDOs P. Srikar and D. Akhila and Endowments assistant commissioner V. Satyanarayana.