Bundh near total in Mangalore

naeem@coastaldigest.com (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar )
February 28, 2012

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Mangalore, February 28: Normal life was disrupted in city on Tuesday due to the country-wide strike called by central trade unions to protest the 'anti-labour' policies of the UPA government at the Centre.

All the city and service buses kept off the roads following reports of stone pelting on a few buses in different parts of the city in the early morning.

Miscreants pelted stones at private government buses at Besant, Mahendra Arcade, and Lalbag and Adyar-Kannur area in the early morning. It is learnt that a bus driver also suffered injuries during the incident.

Around 50% of the shops and business establishments remained closed. The strike also affected functioning of banks and offices as pro-Left unions in the state sector also joined the protest against the 'neo-liberal economic and labour policies' pursued by the UPA government.

The absence of buses put passengers, who were on their way to attend some programmes and emergencies, into hardship. Some construction workers were seen waiting in the bus stops in the morning.

Many private schools and colleges too were remained closed. Government education institutions and professional colleges had thin attendance.

The City wore a deserted look with few people seen walking on the road and few vehicles plying. People who came from Bangalore and other places in bus and trains were seen struggling to reach their destinations as there were no buses plying.

Train passengers were taken for a ride by few taxis at the railway station. As many auto rickshaw drivers unions supported the bundh, the number of auto rickshaws were very less across the city, thus contributing to the hardship of the passengers.

Though all trains left and arrived in time, the Mangalore Central Railway Station premises wore a deserted look.

Sources said that all trains coming to Mangalore and leaving from Mangalore were on time. Though restaurants and stalls inside the Railway Station were functioning normally, their business was hit due to the bundh.

Fortunately, there was no disruption in electricity or water supply and the health sector exempted from the strike.

Labour leaders have claimed that the strike is going to be a historic event and a stern warning against "anti-labour policies" of the Centre.

The key demands of the unions include guarantee of labour rights, end to the contract labour system, bringing workers in the unorganized sector under the social security net and pension benefit for all workers. Besides the Left unions like CITU and AITUC and HMS, the pro-Congress INTUC and pro-BJP BMS are also supporting the strike.

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Bundh at Thokkottu(Photos by Mohan Mony)

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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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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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