Police supporting BJP in forcing shop closures: Ivan

January 22, 2011

Mangalore, January 22: Congress leader Ivan D'Souza on Saturday accused the Mangalore police of directly involving in the state-wide bundh called by Bharatiya Janata party rather than maintaining law and order in the coastal city.

Addressing media persons at the district Congress office, D'Souza said police have led the shutting down campaign in many parts of the city. “Many owners were forced to roll down the shutters of their shops in Hampankatta and Urva Market by the police themselves” he alleged.

Terming the bundh called against Governor HR Bhardwaj's decision to allow filing of criminal cases against Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa over various grave allegations of corruption and criminal misconduct an apparently illegal and anti-democratic move by the rulers of the state, he also accused the government officials of joining hands with the corrupt rulers in a 'bad cause'.

Criticising Deputy Director of Public Instruction C Chame Gowda for suddenly announcing holiday to schools and colleges in view of bundh, D'Souza said DDPI has misused his power to contribute to the 'unlawful bundh'.

Condemning the act of Chairman of Karnataka State Govt. Minorities Development Corporation Anwar Manippady, who was in the forefront of a protest rally organised by the BJP in the city in the morning, D'Souza questioned “How can a person holding a top post of a constitutional body indulge in such illegal and anti-constitutional acts?”

Justifying the Governor's stand, he said the Supreme Court itself had nodded for the prosecution against Chief Ministers in Bihar and Tamil Nadu in the past.

Demanding the immediate resignation of Yeddyurappa, the Congress leader warned the BJP that if it continued to support CM, the people of the state will feel that saffron party is supporting corruption.

He said BJP is solely responsible for all the bundh related losses being caused to the state economy.

Asked about the allegations made against police, City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh said that the police are carrying out their responsibility of maintaining law and order in the city.

“The allegations of forcing shop owners to shut down their shops against police have no proof. It's mere an allegation. However we will conduct an inquiry into the allegations because it is very serious,” he said.

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Clean and Green on Wheels: Mangaluru’s Push for Electric Public Transport

News Network

November 13,2024

In the heart of Mangaluru, where rising air pollution is spurring public health worries, voices are calling for a greener, cleaner shift in the city’s public transport. Leading this call is APD Foundation, a Mangaluru-based environmental NGO, which has urged Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre to mandate electric vehicle (EV) adoption in public transport.

Abdullah A Rehman, CEO of APD Foundation, emphasized in a formal letter to the minister that Mangaluru’s public transportation system—efficient and organized with both government and private players—could transition smoothly to EVs in stages. He suggested that government-backed financial incentives, partnerships with EV manufacturers, and collaborations with environmental groups could streamline the switch.

Rehman stressed the potential of EVs to cut down emissions, enhance air quality, and reduce noise levels, noting the quieter operation of electric buses. He confirmed that a copy of his letter was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner as well.

However, Dilraj Alva from the Dakshina Kannada City Bus Association noted potential challenges, explaining that the shift might take up to two years due to infrastructure and budget hurdles. Most EV buses, he explained, are procured through aggregators, not directly by individual operators. The addition of charging stations and other essential infrastructure further complicates the transition.

Alva also raised the economic concern: while diesel buses are priced between ₹30-40 lakh, electric buses can cost up to ₹1 crore. Reflecting on recent meetings with companies, including one in Manipal, he questioned the assumption that EVs are an absolute solution to pollution. “EVs aren’t entirely eco-friendly, especially when considering battery disposal,” he cautioned.

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Mangaluru: Man duped of Rs 1.7 cr by fake TRAI, CBI officials

News Network

November 22,2024

Mangaluru: A man fell victim to an online scam, losing Rs 1.7 crore after fraudsters posed as officials from TRAI. According to a complaint filed at the CEN police station, the incident began on November 11, when the complainant received a call from an unknown number at 9:49 am.

The caller, claiming to represent TRAI, alleged that another mobile number registered under the complainant's name was involved in illegal activities in Andheri (East), Mumbai. The caller further stated that an FIR was lodged against the complainant for harassment under the guise of marketing. He was instructed to contact Andheri (East) police station immediately or risk his mobile service being deactivated within two hours.

The complainant was subsequently connected to an individual named Pradeep Sawant, who claimed the complainant was implicated in a money laundering scheme linked to the Naresh Goyal fraud case. Sawant alleged that a fraudulent bank account under the complainant's name was opened at Canara Bank, Andheri, and used to purchase a SIM card for illegal activities. He warned that the complainant could face arrest.

Later, the complainant was contacted via WhatsApp video call by individuals posing as Rahul Kumar (a police officer) and Akanksha (a CBI officer). They allegedly sent fabricated CBI documents to his WhatsApp number. The fraudsters demanded money to "resolve" the case. Fearing threats, the complainant allegedly transferred Rs 1.7 crore through RTGS in batches of Rs 53 lakh, Rs 74 lakh, and Rs 44 lakh between November 13 and 19. A case has been registered at the CEN police station and an investigation is ongoing.

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