Mangaluru is a peaceful city; media focusing only on negative things: Top cop

coastaldigest.com news network
January 20, 2018

Mangaluru, Jan 20: Though the crime rate in Mangaluru is very less compared to other prominent cities of India, the coastal Karnataka’s port city is being defamed by certain vested interests through mass media and social media for reasons better known to themselves, said T R Suresh, the Commissioner of Mangaluru City Police.

Speaking at an interaction programme organized by the Bearys Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) at Hotel Ocean Pearl in the city on Friday, the top cop said the reaction of Hindu and Muslim communities in general following the recent coldblooded murders Deepak Rao and Ahmed Basheer – two innocent members of respective communities – has once again proved that Mangalureans are peace lovers and not communals.

Reiterating that Mangaluru is one of the best places to live in India, he said that the contributions of coastal district of Dakshina Kannada district towards education, banking and tourism sectors are remarkable. “People from across the state, country and other parts of the world come here seeking better education and health care. There are over two lakh students in the city. Almost half of Kerala is dependent on this city for various reasons,” he pointed.

“In spite of all these positive aspects, mass media and social media are focusing only on negative things and blowing the trivial issues and sporadic untoward incidents out of proportion,” Mr Suresh added.

He said that 99% of people in Mangaluru are peace lovers while very small number of people are indulging in anti-social activities. The police have been relentlessly trying to make Mangaluru a peaceful city by curbing rowdysim and drug menace. However, false rumours being spread through social media including WhatsApp groups destroying peace, he lamented.

He also warned stringent action against those who spread inflammatory messages and rumors on social media. “Some WhatsApp group admis that post provocative messages are not in the county. They operate from abroad. It is not easy to catch them immediately. Hence, we take immediate action against those who circulate such messages here,” he said.

Y Abdulla Kunhi, Vice Chancellor of Yenepoya University, speaking on the occasion, pointed out that Mangaluru had ranked as 48th best city in the world in terms of quality of life and ranked 12th in terms of health care in a recent international survey. However, recent untoward incidents and communal clashes have dented the image of the city. This has also affected business in the region. Hence, there is a need to put an end to communal goondaism in the region, he said.

BCCI president S M Rasheed Haji welcomed and presided over the function. BCCI vice president Abdul Rauoof Puthige read out the memorandum that was handed over to the city police chief. DK Wakf Advisory Committee chief Kanchur Monu, DK and Udupi Muslim Central Committee chief KS Mohammed Masood, BCCI general secretary Mohammed Imthiyaz were present among others.

Comments

Vinod
 - 
Saturday, 20 Jan 2018

Recently I saw one article, which says one lady sit middle of public without any reaction and provoded many object (includes soft flower to sharp edged knife) and ask public to do whatever they want. First people hesitated. People started with flower and later many people enjoyed her nudity. Some other tortured with knife and some people torned her cloth and touched evrywhere. She told she felt like brutally raping during that.
The point is - It is not the probelm with media. Problems with people only. They are too negative and if they are getting chances, they will utilise maximum. 

George
 - 
Saturday, 20 Jan 2018

I agree with Danish. 100% truth. Everything is business and they all have to survive.. so people' mentality should change

Danish
 - 
Saturday, 20 Jan 2018

Why media giving more importance to crimes..?

 

Media feeding whatever people want. Actually its not the problem with media. Its with people. If media giving coverage to only development things and good news, then the readership becomes less. and it end up in closing of that particular media org.

 

Mohan
 - 
Saturday, 20 Jan 2018

True.. Well said sir. Should control some media

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
November 19,2024

vikramgowda.jpg

The Karnataka Police’s Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) achieved a major breakthrough on Monday night by eliminating Vikram Gowda, one of Karnataka’s most wanted Naxal leaders for over two decades. The encounter occurred in the dense Kabbinale forest of Udupi district, marking a significant victory against Naxal insurgency in the region.

Who Was Vikram Gowda?

Hailing from Hebri in Udupi, Vikram Gowda, 44, was a prominent figure in the Naxal movement. He went underground in 2002, initially serving as a courier and fund collector before rising to lead a breakaway Naxal group. Despite having only a fourth-grade education, he was a staunch advocate for tribal rights and a key player in the movement’s survival in Karnataka.

Bounty: ₹3 lakh from Karnataka and ₹50,000 from Kerala.

Legacy: The last major Naxal leader in Karnataka after the 2021 arrest of B G Krishnamurthy.

The Encounter

Police revealed that Gowda and his team visited Kabbinale village to collect groceries on Monday night. Acting on a tip-off, ANF ambushed the group. When the Naxals opened fire, ANF responded, leading to Gowda's death.

Escapees: Three Naxals fled, including prominent members Latha (aka Mundgaru Latha) and Raju.

Significance: This was the first Naxal casualty in Karnataka in over two decades.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed the operation, stating, “Gowda was elusive for 20 years, escaping multiple encounters. His death is a critical step in dismantling Naxal operations in the region.”

The Decline of Naxal Activity in Karnataka

Karnataka's Naxal movement has been dwindling, with members seeking refuge in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The group’s strength had reduced to just 19 members by 2018, but recent sightings indicate attempts at revival:

2023 Activity: Reports of Gowda-led movements in the Kodagu and Hassan districts reignited concerns.

Political Heat: The BJP criticised the Congress government, alleging it created a “safe haven” for Naxals.

A Glimpse into Gowda’s Past

Personal Life: Gowda’s ex-wife, Savitri (alias Rajita), was arrested in 2021. She was a senior Naxal commander involved in insurgency since 2004.
Rehabilitation Efforts: Since 2013, Karnataka’s rehabilitation policy has seen 14 Naxals surrender and reintegrate into mainstream society.

A Milestone in Karnataka’s Fight Against Insurgency

The operation signifies a decisive blow to Naxal resurgence in the Western Ghats. While the ANF continues its search for escapees, the Karnataka government reaffirmed its commitment to offering rehabilitation to those willing to surrender.

As Karnataka celebrates this triumph, the message is clear: there is no room for insurgency in the state.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
November 26,2024

cmibrahim.jpg

Former minister and ex-MLC C M Ibrahim claimed that he still heads the original JD(S) and asked former prime minister and party supremo H D Deve Gowda to cut ties with the BJP, so that the party can be strengthened again. He also said options are being explored to either strengthen the JD(S) or to float a new regional party.

He was speaking to media persons, in Mysuru, on Monday, after meeting JD(S) MLA and former minister G T Deve Gowda, who has expressed his displeasure that he has been sidelined in the party and the party leaders have indicated his retirement from politics.

He stated, “If Deve Gowda had joined the Congress, during the last Assembly election, he would have been a minister now. We retained him in the JD(S), to strengthen the party. Now, efforts are being made to strangulate Deve Gowda’s political career. I have discussed all matters with Deve Gowda. In two days, I will start a Karnataka state tour and meet some leaders. After that, I will meet Deve Gowda again, and then decide on the further course of action.”

Ibrahim said, “The original JD(S) is ours. I am still its state president. All documents and accounts are in our name. Even now, if Deve Gowda leaves BJP’s company and returns, we will build the JD(S) again”.

“Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy should mend his ways and stop making JD(S) into a family-owned company. The JD(S)’s situation has become hopeless. Its love for the BJP is over. He should understand this,” he said.

“When I was with Kumaraswamy, he spent just Rs 4 crore in Channapatna and won by 20,000 votes. Now, without me, he spent Rs 150 crore and still lost by 25,000 votes. Without Muslims’ support, the JD(S) cannot win a single seat. Now, it is proved that 19 MLAs of the JD(S) won in 2023, because of Muslims,” he added.

Speaking on other options available, Ibrahim said, “We have not yet decided to go with the Congress. We are only considering to establish a third front. Whether it is founding a new regional party, forming a third front, or strengthening the JD(S), will be decided shortly.”

Earlier during the day, before meeting Deve Gowda, Ibrahim had said, that 12 to 13 JD(S) MLAs were dissatisfied with the party, but like Deve Gowda, were enduring pain.

“Now, I have started the task of uniting them. I as the JD(S) state president, it is my responsibility to address our MLAs’ grievances. At present, the JD(S) is on fire and all JD(S) MLAs want to protect their respective constituency. Hence, they have started speaking one by one,” he said.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
November 25,2024

Udupi: Six junior artists from the prequel of Kannada blockbuster film ‘Kantara’ were injured, when the bus they were travelling in overturned in the district, police said on Monday.

According to police, the accident occurred near Jadkal on Sunday night when the mini-bus carrying the crew of the film overturned.

“The incident happened while they were returning to Kollur after completing the shoot at Mudoor in Jadkal. The mini-bus was carrying 20 junior artistes when it met with the accident,” a police officer said.

The injured were rushed to hospitals in Jadkal and Kundapur for treatment, they said.

The Kollur police are investigating the matter.

"The news making rounds is completely false. The Kantara: Chapter 1 team began shooting at 06:00 AM today, and everything is proceeding as normal. A minor accident occurred 20 kilometres away from the shooting location, involving a local bus carrying some members of the Kantara team. However, no injuries were reported," a source close to the production said.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.