Muthalik seeks grants, facilities for Ayyappa devotees

November 26, 2013

Mangalore, Nov 26: Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik has urged the Karnataka state government to provide a grant of Rs 5,000 each to Ayyappa devotees from Karnataka who undertake the annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala in Kerala, and also provide grants to set up Ayyappa Bhavan in each district for the benefit of those devotees.

Speaking to mediapersons at a press conference here on Tuesday, he said that Hajj pilgrims were provided with financial assistance upto Rs 42,000 each from the Centre and the state government for their pilgrimage. The state government is also setting up a Hajj Bhavan for Hajj pilgrims in Bangalore at an estimated cost of Rs 40 crore. However, as many as 10 lakh devotees of Ayyappan from Karnataka undertake the annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala without adequate facilities. Hence, the state government should provide the devotees with financial assistance and also set up an Ayyappa Bhavan in each district with sufficient facilities, he urged.

‘Set up Anti-Terrorist Squad in coastal region'

Stating that the coastal region was on the verge of turning into a terrorism hub, the SRS chief demanded that an Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) should be formed in the region.

The state government should take note of increasing terror links to coastal towns such as Bhatkal, Mangalore and Udupi and take appropriate action in this regard. It has been reported that raw materials in the explosives that were used in bomb blasts in cities such as Jaipur, Delhi, Bangalore and Pune were traced to Mangalore. The government should set up an ATS unit to prevent further terrorist activities, he said, adding that the Sene would organise a state-wide awareness campaign in order to spread awareness on the attitude of the state government towards prevention of terrorism in the state.

‘Release reformed prisoners in jails'

Urging the state government to release reformed prisoners languishing in jails from several years, Pramod Muthalik said that as many as 900 prisoners were languishing in jails, some of whom were suffering from life-threatening diseases. Not a single reformed prisoner has been released from 2006 till date on humanitarian grounds. The state government should take notice and release a few reformed prisoners at least this time on January 26, he said.

He said that the state unit of Sri Rama Sene would present their demands before Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister K J George during the assembly in Belgaum on December 4.

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Mangaluru police issue alert over fake traffic fine payment Apps and links

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.

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Major facelift for Mangaluru's sporting heart: Mangala Stadium set for 2-month closure to upgrade synthetic track

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Educational institutions in Mangaluru that rely on the popular Mangala Stadium for their annual sports events are bracing for an inconvenience as the city's key sporting venue is set to close its gates for a significant upgrade. The stadium is expected to be unavailable for approximately two months starting from January 15, 2026.

The closure is necessitated by a proposed overhaul of the stadium's facilities, with a special focus on upgrading the synthetic track. Pradeep Dsouza, Assistant Director of the District of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Dakshina Kannada, confirmed the development.

"Experts have visited the stadium, conducted a thorough inspection, and have given the go-ahead for a complete makeover," Dsouza stated. "Funds have been allocated for the project, and we are currently awaiting the final green signal from state officials to commence the work. We anticipate that the work will likely begin in the second week of January. Consequently, we have stopped renting out the stadium to colleges and other organizations in preparation for the upgrade."

The timing presents a logistical challenge for colleges, as many schools have already concluded their sports meets.

"Colleges will now be organizing their events and will need to find alternative locations to host their sports meets," Dsouza added. He suggested a few potential venues, including the Dakshina Kannada police ground, University College grounds, Panambur grounds, Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, and the Mangalore University sports grounds in Konaje.

However, many institutions note that finding a comparable venue will be difficult. While the DK police ground and University College grounds are closer to the city center, they do not possess the extensive facilities and infrastructure offered by Mangala Stadium.

Dr. P Dayananda Pai - P Satisha Govt First Grade College, Carstreet, is one such institution dependent on the stadium. Principal Jayakar Bhandary expressed hope for a swift completion of the work. "We expect the work to be completed at the earliest. If not, we will be forced to look for other venues to host the sports day for our students," Bhandary said, highlighting the pressing need for the city's main sporting facility.

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