Rivalry among Mangaluru Salafi groups quenches media’s thirst for ISIS story

coastaldigest.com web desk
October 4, 2017

Mangaluru, Oct 4: A controversial voice message by the leader of one of the coastal Karnataka-based Salafi groups has sent shockwaves in the region after local media gave massive coverage to the 11-minute clip in which the speaker apparently discouraged his followers from joining another Salafi splinter group and claimed that its members dress like ‘ISIS’ terrorists.

The audio clip, which contains some advices and warnings by Ismail Shafi, vice-president of South Kanara Salafi Movement (SKSM), to the members of his organisation, unexpectedly went viral as people began to share it on social media platforms.

The Beary language clip also grabbed the attention of the local police officers who heard the word ‘ISIS’ but couldn’t immediately understand anything else. “The Beary audio clip contains the word ISIS. We got it translated to Kannada. Now we are verifying the authenticity of the speaker’s claims and allegations. We will take necessary action based on the probe report,” said Sudhir Kumar Reddy, superintendent of the police of Dakshina Kannada.

The speaker in the audio clip has levelled a series of allegations on so called Dammaj Salafi group, a by-product of the ongoing churning process within the Salafi movement in Kerala and Coastal Karnataka, and warned Salafis against joining that group.

According to the speaker, the clerics of Dammaj group brainwash the youths and college students of Muslim community, persuade them to discontinue the studies, leave the country and die in so called jihad. He says that the new group, which has built a mosque at BC Road in Dakshina Kannada with the help of funds provided by a man from Al-Khobar, identifies itself as Salafi group but indulge in extremism.

He says that Dammaj group members are present in Mangaluru, BC Road, Ullal, Kalladka, Maripalla areas of the coastal district and they are financially supported by a Moodbidri-based man. “They wear black or brown gowns... Their intention is to cause damage to Salafi movement and put an end to its da’wa activities,” he says adding that they are backed by Jews.

He also cautions the Salafi parents against forging matrimonial alliance with the members of Dammaj group claiming that they take their better halves to countries like Yemen and Afghanistan. “In Kerala, they are facing the charge of supplying men to ISIS,” the voice said.

Some of the other attention-grabbing allegations levelled by the speaker against the Dammaj group members are: “They don’t mingle with people; they don’t interact with non Muslims such as Hindus and Christians; they believe that India is not suitable for them and they prefer to leave the country; they don’t send their children to the schools here; they don’t travel by buses here; they don’t do any job; they keep their women in house arrest after forcing them to cover all their fingers with ‘black bandage’; their ultimate goal is to wage so called jihad and die...”

Comments

MSS KHOBAR
 - 
Monday, 9 Oct 2017

Most of the half learned people they cause damage and spoil the true religion of Almighty which has come as guidance to all humankind.

 

Our prophet preached not to be too extreme in following religion.

He advsised to follow middle path. 

 

We should study : 1)Quran,       2)Hadees     3) Sunnah the footsteps of Prophet and his sahabah. This will suffice to be follow true and acceptable Islam.

 

When anybody see following a true religion,  it itself is a marketing of preaching its fact.

Definitely they will be impressed and people will have more urge to know and follow them.

 

These are the basics and common sensed teachings. Then there will be no enemies.

 

Action speaks louder than the voice.

 

Mohammed Fayaz
 - 
Thursday, 5 Oct 2017

Dear friends,

 

First of all police should keep close vigilant on all those people who have taken in charge of muslim groups of mangalore like Salafi, Sunni, Jamath,Tabliki,anti hadees etc. this people just use religion to play politics for thier own personal gain, blaming each other creating ruckus in society, All beary belong to one single family one single ummah why dont we unite. Ya Allah keep us away from all groupism and guide us on straight path Ameen.

shabeer Puttur…
 - 
Wednesday, 4 Oct 2017

First arrest Ismail Shafi and give him third grade treatment then truth will come out, this guy 27 years back was in Puttur, Normally puttur Hindus and Muslims were like brothers that time, this ismail shafi wrote some bad words about Hindu gods, which divided  Hindu Muslim hearts.

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News Network
December 4,2025

Udupi: A 40-year-old NRI from Udupi has reportedly lost more than Rs 12.25 lakh in an online investment scam operated through Telegram.

According to a complaint filed at the CEN police station, Leo Jerome Mendonsa, who has been working in Dubai for the past 15 years in computer accessories sales, maintains NRI accounts in Karkala and Nitte.

On November 12, 2025, Mendonsa was added to a Telegram group called Instaflow Earnings by unknown individuals. Users identified as Priya and Dipannita persuaded him to invest in “Revenue Tasks.” Initially, Mendonsa transferred Rs 1,100 multiple times and received the promised returns, encouraging him to continue.

On November 14, another user, Nishmitha Shetty, directed him to register on a website, digitvisionuoce.cc, and invest Rs 4 lakh in various shares. Over the next few days, he made multiple transfers totaling Rs 12,25,000, including Rs 50,000 via Google Pay, believing the scheme was legitimate.

After receiving the money, the alleged handlers stopped responding, and neither the invested amount nor the promised profits were returned.

The CEN police have registered a case under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations are ongoing.

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News Network
November 26,2025

Mangaluru, Nov 26: Mangaluru East police have registered a case following a sophisticated online fraud where a 57-year-old local resident was allegedly cheated out of ₹13.4 lakh after being targeted on Facebook.

The scam began in February when the complainant, while browsing Facebook reels, was contacted by a woman identifying herself as "Lillian Mary George" from London. After establishing a chat relationship, the woman claimed she would visit India in November and bring a significant sum of money.

The trap was sprung on November 15, when the victim received a call from a woman named "Sonali Gupta," who claimed Lillian had arrived at Mumbai International Airport but was detained by customs. The fraudsters convinced the man that Lillian was carrying £25,000 (about ₹26 lakh) in traveller’s cheques and 1 kg of gold (valued at around ₹30 lakh).

Under the pretense of clearing these items, the victim was asked to make numerous online transfers between November 15 and 18 for various bogus charges, including:

•    "Pounds exchange registration"
•    "Customs declaration issues"
•    "Discount charges"
•    "Money-laundering charges"

Believing the fictitious story, the complainant transferred the cumulative sum of ₹13.4 lakh to various bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. He realised he was cheated when the culprits later promised a refund within two days but stopped answering his calls. The Mangaluru East police are now investigating the case, which highlights the continuing threat of transnational cyber fraud using social engineering and promises of fictitious wealth.

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News Network
November 30,2025

airportmetro.jpg

Udupi: The pontiffs of Sri Paryaya Puttige Mutt, the sacred seat of Jagadguru Shrimad Madhvacharya Moola Samsthanam, have submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister seeking comprehensive development for Udupi district. 

Proposal for International Airport

A key request is the establishment of an international airport. Highlighting that around 1,000 acres of land are available and suitable, the pontiffs noted that the existing Mangalore Airport provides limited international connectivity. They suggested the airport be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or as a Greenfield Airport to boost trade, education, healthcare, and spiritual tourism.

Metro and Rapid Transit Connectivity

The proposal also calls for Metro Rail or Rapid Transit between Mangaluru and Udupi. The 55 km coastal stretch experiences heavy daily commuter traffic, causing congestion. The district administration is ready to prepare an initial project report for a Mass Rapid Transit corridor and requested inclusion under national urban mobility programmes to ensure safe, green, and time-efficient regional transport.

Port and Coastal Development

The pontiffs urged the development of an international-standard port with a cruise terminal along Udupi’s coast. They also requested fast-tracking of pending coastal tourism projects and revising Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms to encourage sustainable infrastructure and hospitality investment.

IT, AI and Technological Infrastructure

Support was sought for an IT and AI Innovation Park with incubation facilities under Digital India and Startup India initiatives. The proposal also emphasized the need for strengthened data security and cloud computing infrastructure to boost India’s technological independence.

Sports and Education Initiatives

The pontiffs requested national sports status for Kambala, along with financial and infrastructure support. They also sought the establishment of an AIIMS in Udupi, a new IIT campus, and approval for an IIM to promote higher education in the district.

Representation to the Prime Minister

Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Pontiff and Sri Sushrendra Tirtha Swamiji represented the pontiffs in submitting the comprehensive development proposal to the Prime Minister during his recent visit.

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