Raitha Sangha activists go semi-nude protesting cancellation of public-hearing on UPCL

[email protected] (CD Network)
October 17, 2011

Udupi, October 17: Activists of Udupi unit of Raitha Sangha headed by its president Vijay Kumar Hegde and Vice President of Nandikur Jana Jagrithi Samithi Madhava Shetty, on Monday staged a half nude protest against the government apathy in holding the public hearing on the ill effects of UPCL power plant, in front of the DC Office here.

In the beginning hundreds of agitators come from Padubidri, Yellur, and other places affected by the coal based UPCL power plant, had staged a peaceful dharna infront of the DC office. They had also brought two bottles of water samples, which was polluted by the power plant, from their open wells in Padubidri region, to be gifted to the Deputy Commissioner. They were protesting against the Deputy Commissioner MT Reju, who inspite of his assurance had failed to hold the public hearing with the Expert Committee on the ill effects of the UPCL power plant, prior to Oct 17.

Agitators, inspite of repeated requests, were not allowed to meet the DC.

As the Deputy Commissioner refused to turn up to the dharna site agitators got irked and resorted to half nude protest by taking out their shirts. As the agitators announced even to strip their pants, police following the instructions from the DC invited the agitators to his chamber.

Inside the chamber Vijay Kumar Hegde took the DC to task for not holding the public hearing with the expert committee. He said that people in the region had been suffering from skin diseases, cattle have been suffered, and well water had been polluted all due to the environment pollution by the UPCL power plant. ``Inspite of this you have been a mute spectator and you are unfit to be the DC'', he said.

DC in his reply said that he had been he was keen to hold the public hearing, but as two new members of the expert committee were yet to be appraised of the older committee reports, by providing them zerox copies, the meeting got delayed. He assured to hold the meeting within two weeks.

Agitators demanded the DC to keep the UPCL unit – 1 shut till the expert committee holds public hearing submits its report.

Activist Vidya Dinakar demanded the Deputy Commissioner to make the UPCL pay for its violation causing environment pollution, under the Polluter Pays principle.

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News Network
December 2,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 2: Mangaluru International Airport responded to a medical emergency late on Monday night. Air India Express flight IX 522, travelling from Riyadh to Thiruvananthapuram, was diverted to Mangaluru Airport after a passenger in his late 30s experienced a medical emergency on board.

The Airport’s Operations Control Centre received an alert regarding the passenger’s health condition. The airport activated its emergency response protocol, mobilising the airport medical team and coordinating with stakeholders including CISF, immigration, and customs. 

Upon landing, airport medical personnel attended to the passenger, assessed his condition, and arranged to shift him to a local tertiary-care hospital for further treatment. The passenger’s relatives accompanied the passenger, who incidentally received necessary medical care on board, which helped stabilise the situation.

Following the handling of the emergency, the flight departed for Thiruvananthapuram at 2:05 am on Tuesday.

"We appreciate the cooperation of all parties involved, and this incident reaffirms our ongoing commitment to prioritising passenger safety and readiness to respond to unforeseen emergencies with professionalism and care," the Airport spokesperson said. 

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News Network
December 4,2025

Udupi: A 40-year-old NRI from Udupi has reportedly lost more than Rs 12.25 lakh in an online investment scam operated through Telegram.

According to a complaint filed at the CEN police station, Leo Jerome Mendonsa, who has been working in Dubai for the past 15 years in computer accessories sales, maintains NRI accounts in Karkala and Nitte.

On November 12, 2025, Mendonsa was added to a Telegram group called Instaflow Earnings by unknown individuals. Users identified as Priya and Dipannita persuaded him to invest in “Revenue Tasks.” Initially, Mendonsa transferred Rs 1,100 multiple times and received the promised returns, encouraging him to continue.

On November 14, another user, Nishmitha Shetty, directed him to register on a website, digitvisionuoce.cc, and invest Rs 4 lakh in various shares. Over the next few days, he made multiple transfers totaling Rs 12,25,000, including Rs 50,000 via Google Pay, believing the scheme was legitimate.

After receiving the money, the alleged handlers stopped responding, and neither the invested amount nor the promised profits were returned.

The CEN police have registered a case under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations are ongoing.

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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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