NMPT blamed for boat tragedy, no trace of missing fishermen yet

September 17, 2011

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Mangalore, September 17: The fishermen leaders have blamed New Mangalore Port Trust officials for Thursday's boat tragedy, which has left six men missing after their boat drowned off Mangalore coast.

They threatened of launching an intense protest if the NMPT failed to come to the rescue of fishermen when they are in distress.

Meanwhile, the six fishermen remained untraced on Friday despite the district administration pressing an aircraft to search for them.

The Coast Guard, Mangalore police and the distric administration continued their joint search operations which continued till late evening.

The Coast Guards have used a ship specially requisitioned from Kochi for the purpose. Besides a Dronier aircraft has also been pressed into service.

Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh said the city police and the coastal security police personnel had been coordinating with the Coast Guard.

Meeting

An emergency meeting of the fishermen was held on Friday at the Matsyagandha auditorium in Bunder on Friday under the chairmanship of the president of Fisheries Development Corporation Nitin Kumar.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kumar said if the NMPT officials had let in the stricken boat after conducting an inspection, the tragedy could have been averted.

We have requested the NMPT to grant permission for allowing additional fishing boats to enter NMPT harbor until the old port in Bunder is completely expanded. Fishermen have also met chief minister Sadananda Gowda in Bangalore to request him to extend the 'jatti' in old Bunder. The CM has accepted our demand and has promised to lay the foundation stone for the expanded stage before Navarathri, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Umesh Karkera, the honorary president of purse-seine boat fishermen association, claimed that the district incharge minister was not paying attention to the problems faced by fishing community. “Fishermen are involved in a very challenging vocation. They venture into the sea without caring about their safety,” he said.

Three fishermen had died three years ago due to the irresponsible behavior of the NMPT authorities. Just a few days back five fishermen had sustained serious injuries when their boat hit the silt in Alive Bagilu. The NMPT authorities had not left the boat to enter their waters despite sending a distress message. How many more lives should be lost before NMPT changed its attitude, an agitated Karkera asked.

He also urged the NMPT to sanction Rs. 5 lakh each to the families of the five fishermen who have been missing since Thursday after the boat tragedy.

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News Network
October 29,2024

Bengaluru: Following allegations by a section of farmers from Vijayapura district that their lands were marked as Waqf properties, Karnataka Chief Minister Sidddaramaiah on Tuesday said none of them will be evicted, and notices issued to them will be withdrawn.

"No farmer will be evicted from their land. Yesterday Revenue Minister (Krishna Byre Gowda), M B Patil (Industries and Vijayapura district in-charge Minister) and Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan have jointly said that no farmer from Vijayapura will be evicted from their land," Siddaramaiah said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said in case notices have been issued to farmers, they will be withdrawn.

Responding to a question that similar notices have been issued to farmers in Yadgir and Dharwad districts too, the CM said: "I will ask the Revenue Minister to look into it, nowhere farmers will be evicted."

Seeking to clarify "confusion" over 1,200 acres in Honavada of Tikota taluk being marked as Waqf property, M B Patil had recently said it was due to an “error” in the gazette notification.

He also had said only 11 acres out of the 1,200 acres are Waqf properties, and a task force headed by the Deputy Commissioner will be formed to resolve the issues.

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News Network
October 21,2024

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Mangaluru: Forest officials successfully captured a leopard that strayed into the kitchen of a house in Akkasaligara Keri, Mulki, on the outskirts of Mangaluru, during the early hours of Sunday, October 20.

Following multiple complaints from residents about leopard sightings, forest department officials had placed cages at various locations in Mulki. According to Deputy RFO Manjunath Ganiga, locals had reported spotting a leopard in the area, prompting the department to set up a cage about a kilometer from the affected house.

At approximately 10 p.m., the leopard entered the house and made its way into the kitchen. The family quickly locked the kitchen door and contacted the forest department for assistance. The forest officials, using a cage and a net, managed to trap the leopard around 2:45 a.m. The animal was later examined by veterinarians and released back into the wild.

Locals suspect that up to three leopards may be roaming the area.

The operation to capture the leopard was led by RFO Kiran Kumar, with assistance from Deputy RFOs Nagesh Billava and Manjunath Ganiga, along with forest department staff members Chandrashekar and Shankar.

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News Network
October 28,2024

plantation.jpg

Bengaluru: A burned, unidentifiable body discovered in a Kodagu coffee plantation has led Karnataka police to unravel a shocking murder plot involving 54-year-old businessman Ramesh’s wife, Niharika (29), her lover Nikhil, and accomplice Ankur. The trio allegedly orchestrated Ramesh’s murder for financial gain, journeying across state lines to dispose of his body in an attempt to conceal their crime. All three suspects are now in custody.

Suspicious Discovery in Kodagu Estate

On October 8, a charred body was found in a coffee plantation near Suntikoppa, Kodagu. With no immediate means of identification, police reviewed local CCTV footage. A red Mercedes Benz passing through the area raised suspicions. Registered under Ramesh’s name, this vehicle led the police to contact Telangana authorities, linking the case to Ramesh, who had recently been reported missing by his wife, Niharika.

An Intricate Plot for Wealth

As investigations deepened, police began to suspect Niharika’s involvement. Under questioning, she revealed her role in the plot and implicated her accomplices, Nikhil—a veterinary doctor—and Ankur. The probe uncovered Niharika’s troubled past, including a stint in prison, where she met Ankur. After marrying Ramesh, her desire for luxury grew, and she allegedly demanded ₹8 crore, which Ramesh refused, leading her to conspire with Nikhil and Ankur.

Murder and Cover-Up

On October 1 in Uppal, Hyderabad, the accused allegedly strangled Ramesh. They then drove over 800 km to Kodagu, disposing of the body in a coffee estate by setting it ablaze. Niharika later filed a missing person report for Ramesh to cover her tracks.

Painstaking Investigation

Kodagu Police Chief Ramarajan highlighted the challenges faced: “The body was nearly unrecognizable. Our team traced suspicious vehicle activity across CCTV cameras from Kodagu to Tumkur, eventually linking the vehicle to Ramesh from Telangana.” Through detailed examination, police collected enough evidence to arrest Niharika, Nikhil, and Ankur, confirming the horrifying plot that led to Ramesh’s murder.

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