Attack on PFI rally leads to communal violence, one killed, several injured

[email protected] (CD Network | Photos by Suman)
February 20, 2015

Shivamogga, Feb 20: A youth was killed and many others seriously injured in a violent incident that occurred on the outskirts of Shivamogga in the aftermath of communal clashes erupted between Hindu and Muslim groups during the unity march taken out by the cadres of Popular Front of India (PFI) on Thursday.

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A group of armed persons attacked three youths who were heading towards Shivamogga from Tirthahalli on a motorbike near Gajnur. Vishwanath (32), who was injured in the attack, died.

Earlier, the police resorted to lathi charge to bring the situation under control. Following incidents of arson and stone pelting, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code were clamped in the city limits till Saturday evening.

Tension began when a group of trouble mongers threw stones at PFI activists during their march at Ameer Ahmed Circle around 4:30 pm. Nearly 900 PFI activists from various parts of Shivamogga district were taking out the march to mark the outfit’s founders’ day. During the march, PFI cadre are said to have raised slogans against an extremist Hindutva organization. Police had to cane the troublemakers to prevent the situation from going out of control.

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Three cars were damaged in stone pelting. The violence soon spread to M.K.K. Road, Gandhi Bazaar, Nehru Road, and Garden Area. A shop in Gandhi Bazaar, two pushcarts near Shivappa Nayaka Circle, and three bikes near Nehru Road were torched. A mob also assaulted two persons near M.K.K. Road. They have been admitted to McGann Hospital. The incident forced the closure of shops at Gandhi Bazaar, B.H. Road, and Nehru Road. Security has been tightened.

Police later banned assembly of people under section 144 of the CrPC. As many as 600 police personnel from Davangere and Haveri districts were deployed in the city’s sensitive areas. Eight platoons of KSRP have also been deployed.

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Meanwhile, the Mangaluru city police questioned passengers returning to the city from Shivamogga. The police suspected that those leaving Shivamogga might be involved in the clash. Government and private buses were stopped and those returning from the event were questioned. The process has been videographed. The police are collecting information about those who attended the event.

M Nanjundaswamy, IGP, Eastern Range, in-charge Superintendent of Police S S Naik and Deputy Commissioner V P Ikkeri have been camping in Shivamogga. Naik said, “The situation is under control. We are looking into the footage of the unity march to find out those responsible for the violence.” Schools and colleges in Shivamogga have declared a holiday on Friday.

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News Network
November 22,2025

Mangaluru: Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H has warned of strict action against individuals spreading rumours and attempting to create insecurity within the Muslim community and fuel hatred between Hindus and Muslims through social media.

Referring to a recent social media post alleging that police personnel had entered a masjid premises to check whether beef was being cooked, the commissioner said miscreants were attempting to push their communal agenda. 

“A group of people, both from Mangaluru and abroad, are trying hard to spread rumours. For the past 10 days, they have been attempting to rake up old issues, highlight routine matters as controversies, or fabricate news altogether,” he said.

He reiterated that any such attempts to disturb communal harmony would invite legal action. “Cases will be registered and the accused will be brought to book,” he stated.

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News Network
December 2,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 2: Mangaluru International Airport responded to a medical emergency late on Monday night. Air India Express flight IX 522, travelling from Riyadh to Thiruvananthapuram, was diverted to Mangaluru Airport after a passenger in his late 30s experienced a medical emergency on board.

The Airport’s Operations Control Centre received an alert regarding the passenger’s health condition. The airport activated its emergency response protocol, mobilising the airport medical team and coordinating with stakeholders including CISF, immigration, and customs. 

Upon landing, airport medical personnel attended to the passenger, assessed his condition, and arranged to shift him to a local tertiary-care hospital for further treatment. The passenger’s relatives accompanied the passenger, who incidentally received necessary medical care on board, which helped stabilise the situation.

Following the handling of the emergency, the flight departed for Thiruvananthapuram at 2:05 am on Tuesday.

"We appreciate the cooperation of all parties involved, and this incident reaffirms our ongoing commitment to prioritising passenger safety and readiness to respond to unforeseen emergencies with professionalism and care," the Airport spokesperson said. 

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News Network
November 22,2025

Udupi, Nov 22: The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has officially confirmed Narendra Modi’s visit to Udupi on November 28 and shared his detailed schedule with the Karnataka chief secretary.

According to the itinerary, the Prime Minister will land at Mangaluru International Airport from Delhi at 11:05 am and depart for Udupi by helicopter at 11:10 am. He is expected to arrive at the Adi Udupi helipad at 11:35 am.

The earlier plan for a roadshow has been cancelled. Instead, PM Modi will proceed directly to Sri Krishna Math at 12 pm, where he will have darshan of Sri Krishna and address participants of the Laksha Kanta Geetha Gayana event.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to depart from the Adi Udupi helipad at 1:35 pm, returning to Mangaluru Airport before leaving for Goa at 2 pm.

The state administration has been directed to make all necessary arrangements for the visit.

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