Margao blast suspects complain against investigators; demand protection from State Govt

naeem@coastaldigest.com (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar)
February 22, 2012

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Mangalore, February 22: Two local members of Sanatan Sanstha, a right wing Hindutva organization, which had allegedly involved in many terrorist activities across the country including Margao blast, have accused the officers of National Investigation Agency of violating their human rights under the pretext of interrogation.

Udaya Kumar and Vinaya Kumar, the brothers from Aniyooru under the limits of Neriya Garam Panchayat in Belthangady taluk on Wednesday appeared before media in the city accusing the two NIA officers - Seturam and Manu N K - of consistently harassing them since last four days.

The NIA team is in the district in connection with the ongoing probe into 2009 Goa blast. On October 16, 2009, a bomb blast rocked Margao town of Goa killing at least two persons and causing huge loss of property. CBI had revealed that it had found vital clues indicating Sanatan Sanstha's involvement in the blasts. Senior member of Sanatan Sanstha Jaiprakash, who hails from Kadaba in Puttur taluk was later named as one of the main accused in the case. Highly placed sources have confirmed that NIA had questioned Udaya and Vinaya, who are not only the activists of Sanatan Sanstha, but also close relatives of Jaiprakash, who is absconding. It is also suspected that the duo used to live with Jaiprakash in Goa in the past.

Addressing media persons the Kumar brothers said the two NIA officers were misusing their power to investigate the terrors suspects. “On February 20 the officers called us for investigation and made us remove all our clothes. They also sent police to our house and confiscated our driving license, election card, adhar card, our sister's marriage album, ration card, school certificates without giving them receipt of any kind”, they said.

The brothers complained that the officers threatened their father demanding all information and documents. “Out of fear our father handed over all documents asked by them”, they said.

They said that the officers demanded information regarding the terror suspect Jaiprakash and accused us that we too had a hand in the 2008 blast”, revealed the duo.

They alleged that during interrogation the officers pulled their hair hard and inhumanly beat them with fists and kicked, despite getting 'honest' answers. “We were not allowed to go to the toilet for nearly two and a half hours”, they said.

The duo also alleged the interrogators that on Tuesday they threatened to harass formers' sister. “After hearing their vulgar language, we are worried about the threats given by them. We have got the impression that these officers can go to any extent by misusing the law”, they said.

“We were threatened by these officers that we should not go out of the house. The government and private dispensaries denied treatment to us and refused to give us a medical certificate as proof to torture inflicted on us. We had to bear the agony of pain day and night”, they said. However, they failed to show any sign of torture on their body.

Fight Back

The brothers said that they would file complaint against the NIA officers Seturam and Manu with Central and State Human Rights Commission, for physical atrocities meted out to them and for mentally harassing their parents. “We also have decided to complain against them with the senior officers of NIA”

The Sanatan Sanstha members also said that it was the responsibility of the BJP led Karnataka state government to protect them from the hands of anti-terror investigators. “Due to the atrocities committed and threats given by the NIA officials our life is no more secure. Since we are the citizens of Karnataka the responsibility of protecting us lies with the state government”, they said.

Hindu Janajagruti Samiti activists Ramesh Nayak, Anil Kamath were also present in the press meet.

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News Network
March 27,2025

nandini.jpg

The Karnataka government has announced that Nandini milk will become ₹4 costlier per litre starting April 1, 2025. This is the second price hike this year.

The decision was made during a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Karnataka Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna and Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh said the increase is meant to support dairy farmers by covering the rising costs of producing and processing milk.

Officials also said that:

>> The extra money from the price hike will go directly to the milk producers.

>> The earlier ₹2 price hike (announced on June 26, 2024) will be withdrawn.

>> The new price hike of ₹4 will apply to both 500 ml and 1-litre packets.

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coastaldigest.com news network
March 20,2025

Mangaluru International Airport (MIA), Karnataka’s second busiest airport, has seen 148.5kg of gold smuggled between 2019 and December 2024, with 90% arriving from the UAE. Customs officials recorded 346 cases, averaging 30kg of gold seized per year (2.5kg per month). Most smugglers are from Kerala and Bhatkal.

A senior customs officer revealed that MIA sees at least five gold smuggling cases per month. Numbers dropped during the pandemic but surged after flights resumed. Many offenders are first-time carriers, while some are habitual smugglers. With fewer flights, customs thoroughly checks passengers, making smuggling harder.

Smugglers constantly innovate concealment methods. Hiding gold in the rectum remains common, but gold is also found in trolley bags, mobile covers, chocolate boxes, milk powder, biscuit packets, and clothing layers. Electronic devices like car speaker magnets, LED bulbs, AirPods, wristwatches, and ballpoint pens have been used.

Unusual tactics include hiding gold in a woman’s hairband, a baby’s diaper, and even a kheer mix packet (347g). In one case, a passenger attempted to smuggle 100g in his mouth under a mask but was caught.

Officials note that while the UAE remains a key source, smugglers now bring gold from other Gulf countries, continuously adapting to evade detection.

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News Network
March 21,2025

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Assembly on Friday passed Bills doubling the salaries of the chief minister, ministers, and legislators, adding an annual burden of ₹62 crore on the exchequer.

The CM's monthly salary will increase from ₹75,000 to ₹1.5 lakh, while ministers will see a 108% hike, from ₹60,000 to ₹1.25 lakh. MLAs and MLCs will get ₹80,000 per month, up from ₹40,000, and their pension will rise from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000.

The Karnataka Ministers Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill and the Karnataka Legislature Salaries, Pensions and Allowances (Amendment) Bill were passed without debate, as the Opposition BJP protested in the well of the House.

The Bills cited the rising cost of living as justification for the hike. The Assembly Speaker and Legislative Council chairperson will now receive ₹1.25 lakh per month, up from ₹75,000.

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