Complaints pour in at SC/ST grievance meeting with DC

Mangalore, May 8: Dalit leaders raised issues concerning the lack of development in naxal-affected areas in Dakshina Kannada, along with other complaints such as eviction of poor Dalits and objection to certain terms used to refer to the SC/ST community, at a grievance meeting at Deputy Commissioner's office here on Thursday.

During the meeting, convenor of Dalit Hakkugala Horata Samiti Shekhar L alleged that the funds sanctioned for providing basic amenities to naxal-affected areas in the district were not utilised for the purpose. He said that part of the money was used to construct a new asphalt road of about 1.5 km that leads to a Jain Basadi in Savanal in Belthangady taluk, while only 150 metres of road leading to Malekudiya hamlet in the same village was asphalted. “Where are the money released by the government going?” he asked.

He also urged the DC to construct a road to the Malekudiya hamlet in Banjarmale near Neriya, where Malekudiyas were compelled to pass through a private property to reach their dwellings.

Other grievances were voiced at the meeting where few Dalit community members objected to the use of terms such as Harijana' and Girijana' in official records, despite the ban on public usage of these words. A Dalit leader demanded that such words connected with the SC/ST community should be removed from the RTC and other government records.

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim ordered the authorities concerned to remove the terms Harijana, Girijana and Holeya from the government records immediately.

Dalit Sangharsh Samiti leader S P Anand pointed the pathetic condition of the quarters provided by the Mangalore City Corporation to its civic workers at Mahakalipadpu. With the monsoons only days away, there is a fear of these houses collapsing due to heavy winds and rain. The lives of families residing in these quarters are at risk, he said, urging that the city corporation should make alternative arrangements for the civic workers till new quarters were built.

Mr Anand urged the administration to allot a cremation ground for SCs and STs at Niddodi. He said that the two-acre land sanctioned by the revenue department after constant demand was inconvenient for cremation.

The deputy commissioner assured of taking necessary measures.

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Flight cancellations strand passengers overnight at Mangaluru Airport

News Network

December 4,2025

Mangaluru: Chaos erupted at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) after IndiGo flight 6E 5150, bound for Mumbai, was repeatedly delayed and ultimately cancelled, leaving around 100 passengers stranded overnight. The incident highlights the ongoing country-wide operational disruptions affecting the airline, largely due to the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms for crew.

The flight was initially scheduled for 9:25 PM on Tuesday but was first postponed to 11:40 PM, then midnight, before being cancelled around 3:00 AM. Passengers expressed frustration over last-minute communication and the lack of clarity, with elderly and ailing travellers particularly affected. “Though the airline arranged food, there was no proper communication, leaving us confused,” said one family member.

An IndiGo executive at MIA cited the FDTL rules, designed to prevent pilot fatigue by limiting crew working hours, as the cause of the cancellation. While alternative arrangements, including hotel stays, were offered, about 100 passengers chose to remain at the airport, creating tension. A replacement flight was arranged but also faced delays due to the same constraints, finally departing for Mumbai around 1:45 PM on Wednesday. Passengers either flew, requested refunds, or postponed their travel.

The Mangaluru delay is part of a broader crisis for IndiGo. The airline has been forced to make “calibrated schedule adjustments”—a euphemism for widespread cancellations and delays—after stricter FDTL norms came into effect on November 1.

While an IndiGo spokesperson acknowledged unavoidable flight disruptions due to technology issues, operational requirements, and the updated crew rostering rules, the DGCA has intervened, summoning senior airline officials to explain the chaos and outline corrective measures.

The ripple effect has been felt across the country, with major hubs like Bengaluru and Mumbai reporting numerous cancellations. The Mangaluru incident underscores the systemic operational strain currently confronting India’s largest carrier, leaving passengers nationwide grappling with uncertainty and delays.

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