Don't brand our villages naxal-affected, plead residents

[email protected] (CD Network)
August 3, 2011

naxal

Udupi, August 3: The failure of district administration in reaching out to the naxal prone areas and people in remote areas was evident in the 'Janasamparka Sabhe' (public contact programme) jointly organised by District Police Department, District Administration and Forest Department here at Sri Kodamanitthaya Temple Auditorium on Andaru-Ajekaru road on Tuesday.

The programme threw light on various problems encountered by the public in the area. Despite the repeated assurances by the government to provide necessary basic infrastructural amenities to the public under various naxal packages, there seems to be some unidentified distractions to pass on the facilities to the beneficiaries.

The members of the public gathered in the programme had one or the other reason to express their unhappiness towards the incompetence of government in providing them with surety of livelihood. Incomplete development projects, unemployment, poverty, title deeds, illiteracy, ill health, inadequate medical and educational facilities, bad roads and many more topped the list of the nightmares involved in the lives of people of naxal affected areas.

Residents of Nellikatte, Nadpalu in Karkala taluk urged the government not to tag their villages 'naxal-affected' areas instead provide them with basic infrastructure.

Venkatesh Shetty of Nadpalu village said it is a hell for the people of Nadpalu village. The area is a hub of problems. The government representatives and officials offer pledges that are restricted only to the paper and are far from reality. Irregular educational facilities with the absence of teachers in schools, lack of medical facilities, absence of power supply and telephone connections have remained the same over the years.

Existing roads are in deplorable conditions, there are no connective roads and bridges for small rivulets. Children find it difficult to cross the rivulets to attend schools, he said.

He also expressed fear that whether Nadpalu area is tagged under World Heritage Site status by UNESCO. This will hinder the development process in the area, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Dr M T Reju said it is not possible for the government to handle all the necessary development measures without public cooperation. He said public should not wait for the approval from the government if the work can be done by them. The government is by the people and people should come forward to be part of governing process, he added.

He assured to set right the loopholes of administrative mechanism in performing the duties of offering safe livelihood for public in the area. Measures will be taken to repair the existing roads and construct the roads and bridges wherever necessary in the areas of Megadde, Shirlalu, Nadpalu, Nelikatte and Kudlu following the demands by the villagers of the respective areas.

The works will be taken under Calamity Relief Fund, he added. Reju also assured to send a proposal to the government for 108 Ambulance under certain relaxations for Hebri region. He said arrangements will be done to give away the title deeds to the received applications by the people belonging to ST communities residing in the forest land, he added.

SP Dr Y S Ravi Kumar said the programme is held under the integrated approach of all the departments.

Attempts are made to bring the people of naxal prone areas to the mainstream of society. Especially measures are taken to rehabilitate those who have turned away from naxalism and are trying to lead normal life in the society.

The work is taken up by the intelligence of police department. Special naxal package and naxal surrender packages are offered to them. “We are trying to rehabilitate youth who have education with suitable employment packages. Anti Naxal Force is active in the area and regular combing operations are held. Police stations in the naxal affected areas will be strengthened with additional force within one month,” he added.

IGP (Western Range) Alok Mohan said police department is deeply involved with the development and security of people in the naxal inflicted areas. Measures will be taken accordingly, he said.


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coastaldigest.com news network
November 28,2025

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Udupi district transformed into a sea of saffron and celebration on Friday, November 28, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roadshow swept through the coastal temple town. Thousands of residents lined the streets, turning the event into a vibrant public spectacle filled with cheers, flags, and festive energy.

The procession route—from the helipad to the historic Sri Krishna Math—was decked with buntings, saffron flags, and multilayered security barricades. One of the district’s largest-ever security deployments was put in place for the high-profile visit, with over 3,000 police personnel on duty. The arrangement included ten SPs, 27 DSPs, 49 inspectors, 127 sub-inspectors, 232 assistant sub-inspectors, 1,608 constables, and 39 women staff.

Six platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police, six Quick Response Teams, bomb detection units, and dog squads were stationed across Udupi. Enhanced surveillance covered Adi Udupi, Bannanje bus stand, and the Sri Krishna Math parking zone, with combing operations carried out along the roadshow corridor.

At the 800-year-old Sri Krishna Math, preparations reached a ceremonial peak. Paryaya Puttige Math seer Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji said the Prime Minister would take part in the Laksha Kantha Geetha Parayana, a mass chanting of the Bhagavad Gita by one lakh devotees, and inaugurate the new Suvarna Teertha Mantapa.

“He will first offer floral tributes to saint-poet Kanakadasa and then unveil the golden covering over the Kanakana Kindi,” the seer said.

The Prime Minister will also receive a Poorna Kumbha welcome and have darshan of Lord Sri Krishna, Mukhyaprana Devaru, and the Suvarna Paduke. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Minister Bairathi Suresh, Dharmadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade, and seers from the Ashta Maths are expected to join the ceremony.

Ahead of his arrival, the Prime Minister posted on X that he felt “honoured” to attend the spiritually significant gathering. “This is a special occasion that brings together people from different sections of society for a recital of the Gita. This Matha has a very special significance in our cultural life,” he wrote, noting the institution’s long-standing legacy rooted in the teachings of Sri Madhvacharya.

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News Network
November 28,2025

ministerPM.jpg

Mangaluru, Nov 28: Karnataka Health Minister and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday handed over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the severe distress faced by farmers due to crashing crop prices.

PM Modi arrived at the Mangaluru International Airport en route to Udupi, where Gundu Rao welcomed him and submitted the letter. The chief minister’s message stressed that farmers are suffering heavy losses because maize and green gram are being bought far below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The state urged the Centre to immediately begin procurement at MSP.

According to the letter, Karnataka has a bumper harvest this year—over 54.74 lakh metric tons of maize and 1.98 lakh metric tons of green gram—yet farmers are unable to secure fair prices. Against the MSP of ₹2,400/MT for maize and ₹8,768/MT for green gram, market rates have plunged to ₹1,600–₹1,800 and ₹5,400 respectively.

The chief minister has requested the Centre to:

• Direct NAFED, FCI and NCCF to start MSP procurement immediately.
• Ensure ethanol units purchase maize directly from farmers or FPOs.
• Increase Karnataka’s ethanol allocation, citing high production capacity.
• Stop maize imports, which have depressed domestic prices.
• Relax quality norms for green gram, allowing up to 10% discoloration due to rains.

The letter stresses that MSP is crucial for farmer dignity and income stability and calls for swift central intervention to prevent a deepening crisis.

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News Network
November 24,2025

Mangaluru, Nov 24: The original departure time of 11.10 pm was a distant memory for scores of Dammam-bound passengers at Mangaluru International Airport last Friday night, as their Air India Express flight was abruptly cancelled at the eleventh hour, sparking hours of frustration and chaos.

The flight, IX 885, initially scheduled to depart at 11.10 pm on November 22, was subject to two back-to-back reschedules—first pushed to 11.45 pm and then significantly postponed to 1.40 am—before the final, crushing announcement of cancellation was made. For the travellers, many of whom are likely expatriate workers with tight schedules, the last-minute change marked the beginning of a distressing ordeal.

"There was no drinking water, no food, and absolutely no proper guidance. We were left stranded like refugees," complained a stranded passenger.

According to multiple passenger accounts, the airline's ground staff failed to provide adequate support or essential amenities following the cancellation. Complaints poured in about the total absence of drinking water, food provisions, and any reliable guidance from the carrier's representatives. Travellers alleged they were left stranded for a considerable period, with no immediate arrangements or clear communication offered regarding accommodation or alternative travel to send them back home.

The incident has highlighted serious concerns over the carrier's contingency planning and customer service protocols during flight disruptions at one of India's key international gateways. The airline is yet to issue a comprehensive statement addressing the alleged lapse in passenger care.
 

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