Mangaluru: Yettinahole agitators block roads at Pumpwell Circle

[email protected] (CD Network | Photos by Chakravarthi, Suresh)
October 15, 2015

Mangaluru, Oct 15: Hundreds of activists belonging to various organisations and residents of Mangaluru staged a major road block at Mahaveer Circle at Pumpwell junction for nearly two hours on Thursday morning. 

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The ‘rasta roko’ was organised under the banner of ‘Nethravati Nadi Samrakshana Okkoota’ to exert pressure on the state government to stop the Yettinahole (Nethravati) river diversion project from implementation.

Irrespective of caste, creed and religion, various like-minded organisations such as Sahyadri Sanchaya, Mangaluru, Jeevanadi Nethravati Horata Samiti, Mangaluru, Tulu Rakshana Vedike, Mangaluru, All College Students’ Assocation, Mangaluru, Nethravati Nadi Samrakshana Vedike, Bantwal, Kannada Rakshana Vedike, Mangaluru, and Swaroopa Research Centrecame together and participated in the ‘rasta roko’ programme, to offer their full-fledged support in opposing the Yettinahole project. 

Organisations offer solidarity to 'rasta roko'

Several other organisations such as Christian Youth Association, Mangaluru Bar Assocation, Muslim Central Committee, Dakshina Kannada, DK unit of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, DK unit of Janata Dal (Secular), Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, Dakshina Kannada, DK unit of Akhila Bharata Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), district units of Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad, People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Dakshina Kannada, Dakshina Kannada Journalists Union, the district unit of Taximen and Maxicab Association, the local units of fishermen’s association and tailors association and others were also a part of the ‘rasta roko’ to show their solidarity towards the cause of saving Nethravati river and Western Ghats.

Addressing the protestors, convenor of Nethravati Nadi Samrakshana Okkoota Dr Niranjan Rai said that the government had submitted an affidavit in the National Green Tribunal that the people of Dakshina Kannada had no right to the water from Nethravati river. The government is trying to force on people in the state that there is excess of water in Nethravati river throughout the year. It should not mislead the people by making false statements, he said, adding that the struggle would continue till the project was shelved.

He said that it was saddening that some elected representatives were a part of the injustice meted out to people in the district. While the respective local MLAs supported the farmers in the Kalasa-Banduri issue, the MLAs of Dakshina Kannada do not have the courtesy to heed the concerns of the people here. Since the government is taking the opposition lightly, the agitation has to continue to stop the project, he stressed.

Former MLA and activist Vijayakumar Shetty said that ever since the Nethravati river diversion project was proposed in 2011, different chief ministers in power including B S Yeddyurappa, Jagadish Shettar and Siddaramaiah had assured that the project would not be implemented without the people’s consent. “I am very disappointed in the present government, which is negligent about the concerns facing the people in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. Even after a resolution has been passed in the Mangaluru City Corporation and Zilla Panchayat against the project, the government in power has not heeded the demands of the people, he criticised. 

Representatives from the Bishops House Fr William Menezes and Fr J B Crasta, Gurudevananda Swamiji of Odiyoor Mutt, Bantwal, Esha Vittaladas Swamiji of Kemaru Sandipani Mutt, Moodbidri, Rajashekharananda Swamiji of Vajradehi Mutt, Gurupura, Mangaluru South MLA J R Lobo, Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Capt Ganesh Karnik, Dr Annaiah Kulal, S P Chengappa of Mangaluru Bar Association, Bhaskar Rao of Kaveri Horata Samiti, Ajith Kumar Malady, Dinesh Holla, former Mayor K Ashraf and several others participated in the protest. 

Proclaiming his support to the agitation, Gurudevananda Swamiji of Odiyoor Mutt said that the pontiffs of several mutts would hold a joint deliberation along with the participation of other like-minded organisations in this regard.

Esha Vittaladas Swamiji, Rajashekharananda Swamiji, activist M G Hegde, Rafeeuddin Kudroli from UNIWEF, advocate Dinakar Shetty, Jeetendra Kottary and others also proclaimed their support to the agitation against Yettinahole protest.

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News Network
December 17,2025

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Melkar, Dec 17: The 17th Annual Day and Graduation Ceremony of Melkar Women’s PU and Degree College, themed “Fusion-2K25,” was celebrated with dignity and enthusiasm, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s academic journey. The programme reflected the college’s steadfast commitment to academic excellence, character building, and the holistic development of students.

The event was inaugurated by Mr. Asif Mohammed, whose presence greatly enriched the occasion. The celebration was further graced by the chief guests Mr. P. B. Ahmed Mudassir and Mr. Nissar Fakeer Mohammed, along with the distinguished guests of honour Mr. B. A. Nazeer and Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar. In their inspiring addresses, the guests encouraged the graduating students and appreciated the dedicated efforts of the management, faculty, and students.

The annual report was presented by the Principal, Mr. Abdul Majeed S, highlighting the institution’s academic progress, notable achievements, and extracurricular accomplishments during the academic year.

The presidential address was delivered by the esteemed Chairman of Melkar Women’s PU and Degree College, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasized the vital role of education in empowering women and shaping responsible citizens. He also stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and perseverance in achieving success.

Cultural programmes and academic recognitions formed an integral part of the celebration, showcasing the talents and achievements of the students. The graduation ceremony was a proud moment for the outgoing students as they were formally conferred degrees and wished success in their future endeavours.

Ms. Mashmooma Fathima served as the Master of Ceremonies. The welcome address was delivered by Ms. Fathima Nida, and the programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Ms. Ayisha Suhana.

The event successfully achieved its objectives and was highly appreciated by the guests and attendees.

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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.

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News Network
December 7,2025

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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.

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