Mangaluru on high alert as hundreds of saffron activists gather in downtown

coastaldigest.com news network
September 7, 2017

Mangaluru, Sep 7: Even as millions of Kannadigas are in shock over the killing of journalist and anti-Hindutva activist Gauri Lankesh, hundreds of saffron activists from across Karnataka have gathered in this coastal city for a political cause.

Even though the police had granted permission to hold protest meet at Nehru Maidan as part of BJP’s Mangaluru Chalo only for three hours (between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.), hundreds of saffron activists and their leaders began to gather at Dr B R Ambedkar Circle (Jyothi Circle) in the heart of the city at around 10 a.m. causing inconvenience to vehicular movement.

Former chief ministers B S Yeddyurappa and Jagadish Shettar, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje and Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Mysuru MP Pratap Simha are leading the agitation aimed at building public opinion against the Siddaramaiah led government ahead of next year’s Assembly polls.

The BJP leaders also addressed the protesters at the venue. Ironically, Shobha Karandlaje held Siddaramaiah government responsible for the murder of Gauri Lankesh. It is worth mentioning here that Gauri was a trenchant critic of BJP leaders including Karndlaje and supporters of Siddaramaiah. Gauri had also received hundreds of death threats from hardline Hindutva activists.

Tight security

On the other hand Police are on high alert to avoid any untoward incident. Security has been strengthened in Mangaluru city.

One company of Rapid Action Force (RAF), 10 platoons of KSRP and five platoons of CAR have been deployed in addition to 100 additional police personnel from outside the district. To instill confidence in the public, the RAF, CAR and police personnel took out a route march across Mangaluru city yesterday.

Dakshina Kannada SP C H Sudheer Kumar Reddy said 15 platoons of KSRP and over 600 additional police personnel were deployed in the district. Checkposts have been opened on the district’s borders.

Also Read: Mangaluru Chalo: Cops scuttle bike rally as BJP defies ban

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News Network
November 14,2024

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday backed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over his claim that the BJP had offered Rs 50 crore each to 50 Congress MLAs in an attempt to "topple" the state government.

Addressing reporters here, Shivakumar, also the Congress state president, said, “The BJP indeed lured 50 Congress MLAs with Rs 50 crore each.”

He defended Siddaramaiah’s statement and said the Congress MLAs were briefed about the BJP’s alleged 'Operation Lotus', a term used to describe the BJP's attempts to destabilise ruling governments through horse-trading.

“Some of our MLAs informed the Chief Minister about this matter, and he, in turn, shared it with the media,” Shivakumar said.

At an event in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah reiterated the claim that "none of the Congress MLAs had accepted the offer".

He also accused the BJP of filing false cases against him in a bid to "remove him and overthrow his government".

The BJP has yet to respond to the allegations.

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News Network
November 10,2024

tokkottudeath.jpg

Mangaluru: A tragic accident took place on Saturday at Chembugudde near Thokkottu, claiming the life of a 47-year-old woman after a tanker lorry ran over her. The victim, identified as Rahmat H Rashid, was riding pillion with her husband, Abdul Rashid G, on their scooter. 

The couple was traveling from Yenepoya Hospital to Bajpe when the scooter skidded on the poorly maintained road. Rahmat fell onto the road and was fatally struck by a tanker lorry that was coming from behind. Despite being rushed to the hospital, doctors declared her dead upon arrival.

The incident prompted a swift response from the DYFI Ullal Taluk Committee, which staged a protest on Saturday night, condemning the unsafe condition of the road. Nithin Kuthar, president of the committee, criticized MLA and Legislative Assembly Speaker UT Khader for failing to ensure safe infrastructure, despite touting the road as toll-free. 

Kuthar demanded immediate repairs, warning that the committee would march to the MLA’s office with black flags if the road is not fixed within a week.

Former DYFI State President Sunil Kumar Bajal also voiced frustration over the deteriorating condition of Thokkottu market, highlighting the struggles people face while crossing roads riddled with dangerous potholes. In response to public outcry, temporary repairs were made to the road at Chembugudde on Sunday, though locals remain wary and demand a more permanent solution. 

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News Network
November 17,2024

ullalpool.jpg

Mangaluru: A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday, November 17, at Vazco Resort (VAZCO), situated at Battappadi Cross Road in Someshwara on the outskirts of the city, when three young women drowned in the resort’s swimming pool. 

Disturbingly, an iPhone recording and CCTV footage captured their final moments, providing insights into the heartbreaking accident.

According to City Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal, the tragedy occurred at approximately 10:05 AM. The victims were identified as:

Keerthana N (21) from Devaraj Mohalla, Hebbal Second Stage, Vijayanagar Post.
Nishitha M.D (21) from 4th Cross, Kuribarahalli, Mysuru.
Parvathi S (20) from Ramanuja Road, K.R. Mohalla, Mysuru.

Sequence of Events

The three women had checked into Room No. 2 of the resort on the morning of November 16 and stayed overnight. On Sunday morning, around 10 AM, they entered the swimming pool to play. Reports suggest that they placed their clothes poolside and set an iPhone to record the activity.

Initial findings indicate one woman slipped underwater and began to struggle. When the second attempted a rescue, she too drowned, followed by the third woman. Within minutes, the tragedy claimed all three lives. CCTV footage from the resort corroborates the sequence, showing the young women struggling before succumbing to the water.

Investigation Underway

The resort staff discovered the lifeless bodies and immediately raised the alarm. Ullal Police Inspector H N Balakrishna and his team are conducting an investigation. Preliminary reports suggest the women were non-swimmers, and the lack of safety measures contributed to the tragedy.

The resort is owned by Manohar, as per police records. While the formal case is yet to be registered, the incident has raised serious questions about safety protocols at resorts offering pool facilities.

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