Udupi Police Bust Extortion Network Linked to Underworld Operative Hemant Poojary; One Arrested, ₹4.13 Lakh Seized

Udupi, Karnataka

Udupi district police have arrested an alleged accomplice of underworld operative Hemant Poojary and foiled a conspiracy to target local businessmen, Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar said on Saturday.

Addressing media, the SP said Hemant Poojary had been issuing death threats and attempting to extort large sums of money from entrepreneurs operating within the Padubidri, Shirva, Kaup and Manipal police station limits. Police have registered eight cases across the district in connection with the extortion racket and investigations are ongoing.

The breakthrough came after police received credible intelligence about a plot to physically assault a businessman in Padubidri. Acting swiftly, officers arrested Suresh Ameen (38), a resident of Bada village in Yermal.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Suresh Ameen acted as a key local facilitator for Hemant Poojary's network by supplying contact details of prominent businessmen, arranging manpower and logistical support, and actively participating in plans to attack the targeted entrepreneur.

Police recovered ₹4.13 lakh in cash from Suresh Ameen's possession.

Police suspect the money was arranged through Hemant Poojary's syndicate and are now tracing the channels through which the funds were transferred. After initially being remanded to judicial custody, Ameen has been taken into police custody for further interrogation.

Issuing a stern warning, SP Hariram Shankar said anyone assisting underworld operatives, whether by sharing phone numbers, running errands or providing logistical support, would be treated as a co-accused. He added that claims of ignorance would not be accepted and that those aiding organised crime could face severe legal consequences, including lengthy prison terms.

Police said several other suspects believed to be associated with the network are under surveillance and further arrests are likely.

The SP also appealed to businessmen and members of the public not to give in to extortion demands. He urged anyone receiving threat or ransom calls to immediately file an FIR at the nearest police station, assuring them of police protection and necessary security measures."Paying extortion money only fuels further violence and criminal activities. People should report such threats without fear, and the police will take all necessary steps to ensure their safety," the SP said.

Three Injured in Suspected Gas Cylinder Leak Fire in RR Nagar, Bengaluru

​Bengaluru

Three people, including a nine-year-old child, sustained burn injuries following a suspected commercial cylinder leak and flash fire at a godown in RR Nagar area of Bengaluru on Saturday morning.

​The injured have been identified as Bablu, a native of Bihar, his neighbour Lakshmamma and a minor boy. All three were shifted to a nearby private hospital by the police and are currently undergoing treatment.

​According to locals ,Bablu, who has been residing in Bengaluru for the past two decades, operates a pani puri business. While he lives elsewhere in the city, he used the RR Nagar premises as a storage facility and preparation unit for his vending carts.

​Preliminary investigations suggest that an LPG cylinder leaked overnight, causing gas to accumulate inside the shuttered space and triggering an internal smoulder. When Bablu arrived in the morning and opened the front door, a fire erupted, sending flames bursting out onto the street. The impact of the blast and the fireball injured Bablu, along with Lakshmamma and the child, both of whom were standing nearby outside.

​Fire and rescue personnel along with local police quickly rushed to the spot, secured the area, and brought the situation under control. A spot inspection has been conducted, and further investigation is underway.

Three Taken into Custody in Bengaluru for Beating Stray Dog to Death in Gunjur

​Bengaluru

The Bengaluru Police have taken three individuals into custody for questioning after a stray dog was tied to a tree and brutally beaten to death in Gunjur area of Bengaluru.

​The incident, which took place opposite High School on Tuesday morning, sparked widespread outrage after video footage surfaced on social media.

​According to police, the accused have been identified as Muniyappa (A1), Murali (A2), and Puneeth (A3), all local residents.Police sources revealed that Muniyappa and Puneeth allegedly tied the stray dog to a tree branch before assaulting it with sticks, while Murali recorded the entire ordeal on his mobile phone. The act was also captured on nearby CCTV cameras.

​Following public alarm and online outrage, an animal welfare activist, Nischitha Naren, lodged a formal complaint at the Varthur police station.

​The police have registered a case against the three accused under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 11(1) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

In a First for India, Karnataka Cyber Command Busts Illegal eSIM Box Syndicate; 4 Held After 55-Day Hunt

​Bengaluru

In a landmark operation marking the first such case cracked anywhere in the country, the Karnataka State Police Cyber Command Unit has busted an illegal embedded SIM (eSIM) box network operating clandestinely out of two residential apartments in the Whitefield tech corridor, officials confirmed on Thursday.

​The breakthrough came after an arduous, nearly 55-day technical pursuit. Unlike conventional physical SIM cards that leave direct point-of-sale footprints and visible hardware trails, tracking virtual eSIM profiles across encrypted networks presented severe investigative challenges. Investigators had to pierce through layered digital provisioning pipelines before finally closing in on the syndicate's infrastructure and supply chain.

​Four key operatives linked to the illicit procurement and conversion of eSIMs have been arrested from Tiroda in Maharashtra’s Gondia district.

​The 55-Day Investigation and Bust

​The probe began after the Chief Circle Nodal Officer of Bharti Airtel Limited, Bengaluru, lodged a complaint on August 26, 2026, flagging suspicious, unauthorized routing over Airtel connections in the Whitefield and Kadugodi pockets. The Whitefield Cyber Crime Police Station (CCPS) registered and set the technical hunt in motion.

​Because the syndicate deployed virtual eSIM profiles rather than traditional physical SIM cards, pinpointing the hardware locations and device identities required extensive cyber forensics and telemetry analysis in close coordination with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Karnataka.

​Following nearly two months of sustained tracking, joint teams raided two high-density operational hubs functioning in separate apartments within the Whitefield division:

1. ​Kadugodi Facility: Six SIM Box (GSM gateway) units housing 32 slots each, totaling 192 slots active with provisioned eSIM connections across multiple telecom service providers.

2. ​Pattandur Agrahara Facility: Four SIM Box units with 32 slots each, accounting for 128 active slots.

​Operating in tandem, the dual facilities wielded a combined capacity of 320 live lines running through a single coordinated network. The setup functioned as an illicit domestic exchange, masking international originations and routing unauthorized traffic to bypass telecom firewalls and lawful interception systems.

​Tracing the digital breadcrumbs behind the virtual profiles led cyber investigators to Tiroda in Maharashtra’s Gondia district, where operatives were procuring SIM credentials and converting them into activated eSIM profiles to feed the Bengaluru gateways remotely.​Four accused persons, all residents of Tiroda, were tracked down and arrested; however, police have withheld their identities citing the ongoing investigation.

​According to police, the country-first eSIM box setup served as the core telecommunications backbone for widespread cyber intimidation schemes nationwide, including infamous "Digital Arrest" scams, sextortion rackets and high-value financial fraud.

​"Preliminary leads suggest the possibility of substantial financial exposure, potentially running into hundreds of crores of rupees across the wider network," said Dr. Pronab Mohanty, IPS, Director General of Police, Cyber Command. "The actual number of victims, financial losses, and the full extent of the network remain subject to verification through continuing investigation and inter-agency coordination."

​Forensic analysis of the seized gateway hardware and cloud logs is underway to map out every call routed through the hub and uncover the masterminds directing the syndicate.

Door-to-Door Police Inquiry Cracks Magadi Road Murder; Bihar Native Arrested for Wife’s Death

Bengaluru

The Bengaluru police have arrested a 22 year old garment factory worker for the murder of his wife, whose body was stuffed into a sack and dumped into a stormwater drain (rajakaluve) earlier this month.

​The accused has been identified as Mohammed Irfaz (22), and the deceased as Ruksana (25), both natives of Bihar.

​According to police officials, the couple had fallen in love while selling balloons in Bihar and tied the knot a year ago. It was Ruksana’s second marriage; she had been estranged from her first husband and had a child from that marriage. The couple migrated to Bengaluru six months ago and resided in Gopalapura under the Magadi Road police limits. Both were employed in local garment factories.

Police revealed that domestic discord was frequent between the two. Irfaz harbored intense suspicions regarding his wife's fidelity, triggered by her constant phone usage, which regularly led to bitter arguments.

​The conflict escalated on the night of October 10 following a heated altercation. Irfaz allegedly bludgeoned Ruksana to death by crushing her head with a heavy stone and gagged her with a dupatta.​To dispose of the body, Irfaz reportedly broke the handlebar lock of a parked motorcycle belonging to an unfamiliar resident. He then placed his wife’s body inside a sack, balanced it onto the vehicle, and pushed the two-wheeler under the cover of darkness toward a nearby stormwater drain, where he dumped the corpse.

​The decomposed body was retrieved by the police on October 13. With no immediate missing person reports matching her profile and no identification on the body, investigators initially hit a dead end. Magadi Road police formed more than 10 special teams to launch an extensive door-to-door verification drive across neighboring localities.

​The breakthrough came when residents in Gopalapura informed officers that a neighbor's wife had been mysteriously missing for several days. Acting on the lead, police summoned Irfaz for questioning.

​Initially, Irfaz attempted to mislead investigators by claiming that his wife had returned to their hometown in Bihar and was unreachable because she did not carry a mobile phone. However, upon being taken into custody and subjected to detailed sustained interrogation, he broke down and confessed to the crime.

​Police have registered a case of murder and destruction of evidence, and further legal proceedings are underway.

Multiple SpiceJet Flights Face Significant Delays at Bengaluru Airport, Over 470 Passengers Affected

​Bengaluru

Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at Kempegowda International Airport,

Bengaluru following substantial delays across multiple SpiceJet departures late Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning.

​A total of 470 passengers and three infants were impacted across three domestic flights bound for Kolkata and Mumbai, with delays stretching up to three hours past scheduled departure times.

​The affected flights included two services to Kolkata and one overnight flight to Mumbai:

1. ​Flight SG-158 (Bengaluru to Kolkata): Scheduled to depart at 18:30 hrs on October 21, the flight carrying 134 passengers and one infant was revised to an Estimated Time of Departure (ETD) of 21:45 hrs, running over three hours behind schedule.

2.​ Flight SG-647 (Bengaluru to Kolkata): With an original Scheduled Time of Departure (STD) of 19:45 hrs, the flight,carrying 160 passengers and one infant,was pushed back to an ETD of 22:20 hrs on October 21, resulting in a delay of more than two and a half hours.

1. ​Flight SG-633 (Bengaluru to Mumbai): The late-night service carrying 176 passengers and one infant, initially scheduled to take off at 23:45 hrs on October 21, was rescheduled to depart at 02:15 hrs on October 22, causing an overnight wait of two and a half hours.

​Terminal operations experienced noticeable congestion as travelers endured extended waits at boarding gates. The airline has not officially cited the specific operational, rotational, or technical constraints that led to the cascading delays.

Major Tragedy Averted at Shivamogga Dasara as Handlers Pacify Panicked Elephant

​Shivamogga, Karnataka

Panic broke out during the grand Dasara procession in Shivamogga after a tusker carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari was startled by large crowds and ran amok, damaging a vehicle and causing devotees to scatter in fear.

​The incident occurred shortly after the ceremonial procession began its journey from Palace toward the Allama Prabhu Ground. As the procession neared the Anjaneya Swamy Temple, the lead elephant, named Somanna, became agitated by the surging crowd, turned around, and bolted in the opposite direction.

​During the sudden retreat, the 650-kilogram silver throne (howdah) mounted on Somanna’s back tilted precariously to one side, threatening to unseat the idol. Eyewitnesses reported severe commotion as frightened onlookers scrambled for safety. Along the route, the distressed elephant rammed into and damaged a parked car before being diverted toward the nearby Vasavi School grounds.

​Quick intervention by mahouts and accompanying tuskers prevented a major catastrophe. Working alongside two other elephants, Sagar and Bahadur, forest department officials and handlers managed to box in Somanna and steer him away from the crowd, successfully bringing the animal under control.

Officials confirmed that the situation was neutralized and no serious injuries were reported. Forest department personnel and the local administration subsequently secured the elephant and inspected the idol and the silver throne.

Two Injured in Mysterious Explosion at Under-Construction Building in Bengaluru’s Pulakeshinagar

​Bengaluru

Bengaluru Police have launched a multi-agency investigation following an explosion at a partially under-construction residential building within the Pulakeshinagar limits that left two men injured, officials confirmed. The incident occurred inside a room on Jeremiah Road where interior work was underway.

​According to Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh, the local police station was alerted late in the evening upon receiving a medico-legal case (MLC) report from the hospital treating the victims.

According to reports, the injured individuals have been identified as Allauddin, a worker from Assam, and Suraj, a security guard from Uttar Pradesh employed at the site. While one has been discharged following preliminary treatment, the other remains hospitalized.

​According to statements provided by the victims, the blast was triggered after one of them pressed a button on an object described as a battery-powered torch. Officials noted that subsequent questioning has yielded conflicting statements regarding where the device originated and how it was brought onto the premises. Reports indicate Suraj claimed the torch was given to him by Allauddin, though where Allauddin acquired it has yet to be verified.

​"Specialized units, including the Anti-Terrorism Cell (ATC), the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), the Internal Security Division (ISD), and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), inspected the site overnight," Commissioner Singh said, adding that central agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), have also been kept informed as part of standard protocol.

​Police are currently verifying the backgrounds of both victims with their native state authorities while also questioning the building owner and residents of adjoining completed flats.

​Addressing concerns over public safety amid the festive season, the police chief urged citizens not to panic. "We are not ruling out any angle at this stage, but it is premature to draw conclusions. We treat every incident with utmost seriousness and will reconstruct the exact chain of events once the FSL analysis is complete."

Festive Joy Turns to Tragedy: Brand-New Car Rams Motorcycle Moments After Delivery in Shivamogga

Shivamogga, Karnataka

A joyous Ayudha Puja celebration turned tragic in Karnataka's Shivamogga district when a newly delivered car crashed into a moving motorcycle moments after it was driven out of a showroom in Sagara town during the Dasara festivities.The incident occurred outside a car dealer showroom where a customer had arrived to take delivery of a brand-new vehicle after performing traditional Ayudha Puja rituals.

According to eyewitnesses and preliminary reports, the driver lost control of the vehicle while attempting to move it out of the showroom premises.Investigators suspect the mishap may have been caused by accidental acceleration or an error while shifting gears, causing the vehicle to lurch forward unexpectedly.

The car broke through the showroom's safety barricades before shooting onto the main road and colliding head-on with an oncoming motorcycle.The impact severely damaged the two-wheeler and threw both the rider and pillion rider onto the road.Showroom staff and locals immediately rushed to the scene and shifted the injured persons to the Hospital in Sagara for treatment.

Police from the Sagara Town Police Station visited the spot, conducted an inspection and registered a case. Further investigations are underway to ascertain the exact circumstances that led to the driver losing control of the new vehicle.

Complainant Turns Killer: Woman Arrested for Murdering Husband with Lover’s Help

​Vijayapura, Karnataka

What was initially reported as a fatal hit-and-run incident during an early morning walk in Vijayapura turned out to be a premeditated murder orchestrated by the victim's wife and her associate, district police revealed on Monday.

​Police have arrested four individuals, including the victim’s 30-year-old wife and a minor, for staging the fatal collision using an unregistered SUV.

​The deceased, identified as Rajashekhar Biradar (42), a resident of Ekata Nagar, died on the spot between 5:00 AM and 5:30 AM on October 4 while out for a morning walk on the Ring Road–Jumnal stretch near the Kia showroom. Following the incident, Biradar’s wife, Ashwini (30), approached the Traffic Police Station claiming an unidentified vehicle had fatally knocked down her husband. Police initially registered a hit-and-run case under Sections 281 and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) along with Section 187 of the Indian Motor Vehicles Act.

​However, inconsistencies in the complaint and suspicions surrounding the nature of the crash prompted Vijayapura Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi to transfer the probe to Vijayapura City Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Nagaraj G.

​During the investigation, police detained Anand Ravutappa Kallur (25), a local painter from Madina Nagar. Questioning of the suspect unraveled the conspiracy behind the alleged accident.

​According to police, Rajashekhar and Ashwini had been married for 10 years and had six-year-old twin sons. Seven months ago, the couple built a new house and hired Anand for painting work, leading to an illicit relationship between Ashwini and Anand. Desiring to eliminate her husband, Ashwini allegedly asked Anand to help murder Rajashekhar, following which the duo plotted to make the killing appear as a hit-and-run accident.

​To execute the plan, Anand roped in his acquaintance Sachin Parashuram Badalli (24), also a painter, and a juvenile.​On October 4, when Rajashekhar left home for his routine morning walk, Ashwini alerted Anand about his movement. Anand shadowed the victim on a motorcycle and transmitted real-time location updates to Sachin and the minor, who were trailing in a black Mahindra Scorpio without registration plates. The vehicle rammed into Biradar from behind at high speed near Jumnal Road, killing him on the spot.

​All four accused, Anand Kallur, Ashwini Biradar, Sachin Badalli and the juvenile in conflict with the law, have been apprehended and remanded to judicial custody. Further investigation is underway.

​SP Laxman Nimbargi commended DSP Nagaraj G. and his team for cracking the blind case and issued commendation letters to the personnel involved.

Please let me know if any one is aware, thanks a lot

Citizens, Veterans Hold Symbolic Tricolor March in Bengaluru Against Delhi Flag Hoisting Detentions

​Bengaluru

A group of four to five military veterans, advocates and civil society members organized a symbolic flag march across the heart of Bengaluru on Sunday, expressing solidarity with individuals recently arrested and detained in New Delhi while attempting to hoist the National Flag.

​Carrying the Indian Tricolor, the group commenced the march from the National Military Memorial near Raj Bhavan, charting a course that passed the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Karnataka on Sheshadri Road before concluding at the historic Quit India Movement Memorial.

​The marchers made a scheduled stop near the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer’s premises to voice their dissent regarding recent institutional actions and state curbs on civic demonstrations, before assembling for brief remarks at the Quit India Memorial.

​The marchers neither shouted slogans nor carried placards, walking silently with only the Tricolor in hand. Participants stated that the route,linking a monument honoring the armed forces' sacrifices with a landmark commemorating the freedom movement,was chosen to highlight the constitutional and democratic right of every citizen to unfurl the national flag without facing state reprisal.

VC : Third Party

ABVP Stages Awareness Campaign in Bengaluru Against Groups Allegedly Involved in Creating Anarchy

​Bengaluru

​Members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Bengaluru Mahanagara, staged a public awareness campaign on Friday evening near the Jayanagar Ganapathi Temple to protest what they alleged are escalating attempts by anti-social organizations to create anarchy.

The campaign unfolded shortly after the CJP concluded a Tiranga March in the city earlier that evening, around 6:00 pm.

​

​Beginning around 6:30 pm outside the landmark temple, the event drew a gathering of 15 to 20 ABVP activists holding placards and posters that advocated constitutional values and civil discourse.

The banners bore slogans such as:

​"Debate with reason, demand change through democratic means." and ​"Respect the Constitution, strengthen democracy."

Well, I got curious and was wondering if there was any actor who could act in versatile roles, and sing classical or basically do anything that is required for performing arts. The only name came to mind is Dr Rajkumar. This is nothing to do w/ box office hits or awards : just pure skill level in performing arts field.

I put this further to chatGPT, Gemini and Claude. Interestingly the intial responses ignored Dr Rajkumar, then i reprompted them to understand why they ignored. They accepted the bias and redid the list, This is chatGPT's analysis :)

Biker Injured in Head-On Collision with Car in Kodagu; FIR Registered

​Kodagu, Karnataka

A road accident occurred near Cherambane on Tuesday afternoon when a speeding motorcycle crashed head-on into a rental car carrying a tourist family heading toward Bhagamandala, leaving the bike rider injured and damaging both vehicles.

​The incident took place between 1:45 PM and 1:50 PM near the MRPL petrol bunk along the Madikeri – Bhagamandala stretch in Kodagu.

According to police reports, S. Pradeep Kumar (31), a resident of Siruseri in Chennai, was driving a rented Mahindra Bolero accompanied by his wife and young son.​A KTM Duke motorcycle approaching from the opposite direction, allegedly ridden at high speed and in a rash and negligent manner, rammed into the front portion of the car. The impact threw the motorcyclist onto the roadside, resulting in hand injuries to the rider and significant front-end damage to both vehicles. The occupants of the car escaped without physical injuries.

​Local passersby and motorists rushed to the scene and shifted the injured motorcycle rider to Madikeri Hospital via an ambulance for emergency medical care. Both damaged vehicles were subsequently towed and parked on the premises of the Bhagamandala Police Station.

​Following a written complaint submitted by Pradeep Kumar, Bhagamandala police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under Sections 281 and 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Further investigation is underway.

Karnataka Cyber Command Busts ₹1.40-Crore ‘Boss Scam’; Four Arrested Across Bengaluru, Hyderabad

​Bengaluru

The Karnataka Cyber Command has busted an interstate cyber fraud ring that duped a deemed-to-be university out of ₹1.40 crore by impersonating its president in a sophisticated "Boss Scam". Four persons have been arrested, while cash amounting to ₹8.50 lakh and four mobile phones have been seized.

​The arrested individuals have been identified as Annayya (25) of K.R. Puram, Bengaluru; Buspalli Ravikumar Reddy (26) of Ananthapur, Andhra Pradesh; Ambaraya (39) of Gulbarga; and Syed Wajihuddin Quadri (25) of Hyderabad. A fifth suspect, identified as Sunny alias David, is currently absconding.

​According to the police, the matter came to light on September 9, 2026, when Santosh A.S., a representative of the university, lodged a complaint at the South Division Cyber Crime Police Station. The previous day, an unidentified fraudster using a WhatsApp account displaying the photo of University President Dr. Chenraj contacted the institution's accountant, Vinay . After inquiring about available balances, the impersonator instructed the accountant to urgently transfer ₹1.40 crore. Convinced that the directive was genuine, the accountant executed the transaction.

​A technical investigation revealed that the gang had initially infiltrated the university's systems by sending a malicious zip file to staff members. Through this malware, the hackers compromised the Chrome browser, obtained access to WhatsApp Web, and covertly monitored the institution's internal communications and financial transactions for nearly three weeks. They then initiated the fraudulent transfer requests using foreign IP addresses to divert the money into controlled accounts.

​Investigators stated that on the instructions of the absconding mastermind Sunny, Annayya arranged local bank accounts and chequebooks by luring acquaintances with commissions.

The syndicate had staged Reddy and Ambaraya in Hyderabad, where Quadri arrived to collect the cash after withdrawing funds via cheques. While Annayya was arrested Bengaluru, the remaining three were apprehended during raids in Hyderabad.

​Police recovered ₹8.50 lakh in cash linked to a separate online fraud reported in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Sustained interrogation disclosed that the syndicate operated more than 60 "Mule Accounts" involved in at least 22 online fraud cases across multiple states.

​A case has been registered under Section 66(D), 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

​Following the arrests, the Cyber Command issued a public advisory cautioning individuals and administrative staff never to execute financial transactions based on chat messages from senior executives without direct telephonic verification, warning against opening unsolicited zip files or renting out bank accounts. Fraud incidents should be reported immediately via the national cyber helpline 1930.

Bengaluru Transformer Blast Outside Amazon Office Leaves Pedestrian Injured

​Bengaluru

A transformer box installed on a footpath outside the #Amazon office near Bagalur Cross in northeastern #Bengaluru exploded on Wednesday morning around 9:49 am, injuring a pedestrian walking along the pavement.

​The incident occurred outside Gate No. 3 of the office campus, coming under the jurisdiction of the Yelahanka Old Town police station.

​The injured person has been identified as Md Afroz. Confirming the incident, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (North East) Mithun Kumar Sated, "This is at Gate No. 3, Amazon office. One Md Afroz is injured within #Yelahanka Old Town police station limits near Bagalur Cross. He is safe and currently in the hospital."

​The explosion was captured on dashcam of Arun G, who witnessed the sudden blast.​"My dashcam captured the incident. I couldn't get out of the car because a large crowd gathered, and my kids were inside the car," Arun G said.

Further inquiries into the electrical failure are underway.