Land Denotification: Pejavar seer threatens indefinite fast

Bangalore, July 12: Pejavar Mutt pontiff Visvesha Thirtha Swami today threatened to go on an indefinite fast in Mangalore from tomorrow if the ruling BJP failed to honour its promise of withdrawing notification on acquisition of land for SEZ in that city by this evening.

"Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa met me three days back and promised to rescind the notification issued for acquiring 2035 acres by July 10. But so far no action has been taken. I will wait till this evening.If the notification is not withdrawn, I will launch an indefinite fast from tomorrow," he told a press conference here.

Likening forcible acquisition of lands from farmers to "forcible conversion of people into other castes with promise of allurements",he urged the government not to acquire fertile land for industrial purposes. "Only barren land should be acquired," he said. Acquisition of fertile land also goes against Central and state government guidelines, he maintained.

The seer said the land acquired in 2005 remained unutilised and no farming activity could be taken up since then.Banks too are unwilling to extend credit for agricutlural operations.

Pejavar Swami,who has been agitating against land acquisition for the SEZ and Nandikur Thermal Power plant in Udupi,mooted a statewide stir against acquiring farmers land for industries. He also declared support to farmers of Gadag who have been up in arms on giving land to the proposed POSCO steel plant.

Asked if he would fight land acquisition for the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise project, which has been entrusted with Bangalore-Mysore expressway and township project, the Seer said "nobody has invited him so far".

He set a three month deadline for the government constituted expert committee to study the 'health hazards' posed by the thermal plant in Udupi and submit a report and for government to act on it. "The government has given six month time to the Committee.It is too late. The committee should complete its work and submit its findings by Oct 2", he said.

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The £25,000 Trap: Mangaluru Man Duped of ₹13.4 Lakh in 'London Friend' Facebook Scam

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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