Tension in Andhra after hate-mongers kill Muazzin in mosque, burn Quran

News Network
December 31, 2017

Tension gripped the city of Rajamundry in Andhra Pradesh after unknown terrorists barged into a mosque, killed a Muazzin (the one who invites the faithful to prayer five times a day through Azaan), burnt copies of Quran and urinated there before vacating the place. 

The incident took place at Noorani Masjid of Lalacheruvu locality where the victim Mohammed Farooq (61), a native of Bihar, was working as a muazzin for the past four months. 

“Farooq was a newcomer to the city and was not known much outside the community. He used to do the chores in the Masjid. He was a kind-hearted person who was leading the life according to the tenets of Islam due to which miscreants targeted him,” said a local resident.

It was the duty of Farooq to give Azaan (call for Namaaz) early in the morning. But on Friday, as there was no sign of Azaan, one of the neighbours went to check and found him lying in a pool of blood. A case of murder was registered but no arrests have been made yet. Police are investigating the case from all angles and have not ruled out any possibility. 

“It’s too early to specify the reason as the investigation is underway, we are looking into the case from all possible angles," said Rajamundry Urban SP, B Rajakumari.

The officer added that a team is working with Bihar authorities to reach out to the victim’s family, all measures are being taken and nothing can be ruled out at this stage." She added that the body has been sent to his home state of Bihar. 

Mohammed Ibrahim Khan, a representative of Muslim rights’ group, Muslim Samakya, said, "Farooq came from a very poor background and was working for a meagre salary of Rs 5,000.”

He said "We aren't naming anyone or any group as of now, but the acts which the miscreants have done following the brutal murder, such as burning of Quran, leaving cigarette butts on the floor along with signs of urination are scary."

He added, "The murder seems to have been done with the ultimate intention of creating conflict and polarisation.”

As the news spread, the city witnessed a spate of protests, with hundreds of Muslim people and civil society groups taking out a rally and holding mass prayers on the road. 

The local residents told that this kind of incident took place for the first time in Rajahmundry. They demanded to arrest the culprits. “The incident shows how communal poison is being spread by Sanghis," tweeted Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi. He demanded CM Chandrababu Naidu to take immediate steps to arrest the culprits.

Comments

Mohammad.n
 - 
Monday, 1 Jan 2018

Yogesh you must be ashamed to call yourself hindu, i will personally feel pain even if a innocent hindu gets killed for no reason. But you regardless have zero humanity, heart full of hatred and evil, first love ur religion then hate others, thanks 

True.. Nobody will raise voice for Hindus and Hindu holy books. If anybody is there, then media make him as saffron terrorist

Yogesh
 - 
Sunday, 31 Dec 2017

Unwanted highlights giving to that book burning. If Hindu books burned instead of Quran then no media will cover and no highlight will give to that.

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
coastaldigest.com news network
December 20,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 20: City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy has issued a high-alert warning to vehicle owners regarding a surge in cyber fraud targeting those looking to pay traffic violation fines. Fraudsters are reportedly exploiting recent government discount schemes on traffic penalties to deceive citizens.

The Scam: How Fraudsters Strike

Criminals are using SMS, WhatsApp, and social media to circulate suspicious links and APK files (Android application packages). They claim these apps allow users to pay e-challans at a discount.

•    Device Hacking: Downloading these unauthorized apps gives hackers full access to the victim's smartphone.

•    Financial Theft: Once the phone is compromised, fraudsters intercept OTPs and personal data to drain bank accounts.

•    Phishing Sites: Fake websites mimicking official portals are also being used to harvest banking credentials.

Already, two residents within Mangaluru city limits have reported significant financial losses after falling victim to these fraudulent apps.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 7,2025

SHRIMP.jpg

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru CEN police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly posting provocative and misleading content on an Instagram page named “mr_a_titude”, targeting the Bajpe police.

Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H identified the arrested as Abhishek M, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe Police Station under Sections 353(1)(c), 353(2), 56, and 57 read with Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the post.

According to police, the accused uploaded a photograph of a hotel on the Instagram page and alleged that accused persons in a murder case under the Bajpe police jurisdiction were being given “royal treatment” by the police, including being served beef meals daily from the hotel.

The post further accused the police of supporting criminals, misusing their authority, and betraying public trust. Police said the content was provocative in nature and aimed at inciting public outrage against the police.

Following the post, a case was registered at the Bajpe police station, and further investigation was transferred to the CEN police station.

Police records indicate that the accused has a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, and robbery at the Surathkal Police Station, and one case at the Kaup Police Station.

The Commissioner said the accused was traced and arrested using technical evidence.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.