Pandeshwar police bust visa racket

June 22, 2011

Mangalore, June 22: With the arrest of a person on Monday, Pandeshwar police have claimed to have busted a visa racket in which hundreds of youth aspiring for overseas employment were cheated.

The arrested is Damien Merchant who hails from Mumbai.

After a hot chase through the arterial roads in Mangalore, Damien was apprehended by his angry clients and handed over to Pandeshwar police station.

A cheated aspirant elaborating Merchant's modus operandi revealed that introducing himself as coordinator for Israel Embassy, Damien Merchant lured youngsters by promising lucrative jobs in Israel.

Initially he collected a onetime amount of Rs 5,000 from the gullible client. Then on the pretext of paying for medical expenses, he exhorted Rs 25, 000 to Rs 30, 000, from each visa aspirant, another youth said. Eight months ago, he has taken them for a medical test to Mumbai.

It was revealed that Damien Merchant operated in Bangalore, Udupi, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Kerala.

When there was no sign of any visa, the clients waited for him.

A merchant who shuttles between Mangalore and Mumbai had directed potential customers to meet him near KSRTC bus stand in Bejai.

The ones cheated by him, waited for him and nabbed him when he arrived at Bejai Bus Stand. He succeeded in giving them a slip and sped towards Kuntikana. He was overpowered and given a sound thrashing by the agitated youth. Daniel Merchant promising to return the money took them to a bank in Valencia.

He gave his captors the slip again, only to be nabbed near Pandeshwar police station. When he claimed to be in possession of Rs. 5, 500 he was handed over to Pandeshwar police station.

Sources in Pandeshwar police station said that it was the biggest ever visa racket, as the imposter has allegedly cheated hundreds of youth.

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DC urges faster land acquisition for industrial growth in Udupi

Agencies

March 28,2025

Udupi: Deputy Commissioner K. Vidya Kumari has directed officials to expedite land acquisition for designated industrial zones in the district to facilitate new industries. She issued these instructions during a meeting at Rajatadri on Wednesday.

Lands have been identified across various taluks for industrial development. The DC emphasized that KIADB must acquire these lands and ensure essential infrastructure—electricity, roads, and drainage—to attract industries and generate employment.

A total of 77 acres of private land has been acquired and compensated, including 31.2 acres in Kerebettu village, Hebri taluk, and 45.7 acres in Shivapura village. However, approval for 36.5 acres of government land is still pending. She instructed the forest department to assess whether this land falls under an eco-sensitive zone.

For the Belapu Industrial Area, the DC urged officials to accelerate minor land acquisitions for road expansion and commence construction at the earliest. She also mandated rainwater harvesting systems for all units in the Miyaru Industrial Area to tackle water scarcity.

Currently, 22 export-based units operate in the district. The DC encouraged further promotion of exports and an increase in their number.

The meeting was attended by Joint Director of Industries Nagraj V. Naik, KIADB Development Officer Srinivasa Murthy, Small-Scale Industries Association District President Harish Kunder, Deputy Director of the District Industrial Center Seetharam Shetty, District Skill Development Officer Arun B., and others.

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