Communal currents surface again as miscreants storm into shops; police vehicles damaged

January 23, 2012

Mangalore, January 23: Currents of communal tensions once again swept parts of Dakshina Kannada district on Monday, as a group of miscreants stormed into small shops run by minority community at Mugaradka village in Belthangady Tauluk.

The village is only a few kilo metre away from Uppinangady, where at least seven people including police personnel had injured in the aftermath of Hindu Samajotsava on Sunday.

The latest incident of mob frenzy was occurred following two suspected chain snatcher were caught red-handed at the Mugaradka Jaathre (religious fair), which was known for harmony and peaceful celebrations for several decades.

After catching the miscreants who were allegedly trying to snatch a woman's chain, local people had handed them over to the management committee of the Mugaradka Temple, which supervises the fair.

A police team headed by Puttur ASP M N Anucheth rushed to the spot and arrested the alleged chain-snatchers identified as Althaf and Nazeer, residents of Valalu.

When a group of people belonging to a communal outfit came to know that the miscreants had Muslim names, they demanded the police to handover the miscreants to them. They also took temple authorities to task for 'being soft towards Muslims', it is learnt. Meanwhile a clash was erupted between two groups.

As the situation turned volatile, the police resorted to baton charge and dispersed the mob.

At this time a group of miscreants attacked the local shops owned by Muslims. They also pelted stones at shops and police personnel, who rushed to the spot.

Sources from Puttur police station said that at least two people were injured and four police vehicles were damaged during the stone pelting. Many shops were also damaged in the incident.

Tension grips Uppinangady following provocative speech

Normalcy returns to Uppinangady; Kalladka Bhat booked

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Mangaluru–Kasaragod bus fare rolled back after Kerala protests force NHAI to shut Arikkady toll plaza

coastaldigest.com news network

February 5,2026

Mangaluru: The KSRTC Mangaluru division has rolled back the fare hike on buses operating on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route following the suspension of toll collection at the Arikkady toll plaza near Kumbala in Kasaragod district.

The fare revision had been implemented after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) began toll collection at the Arikkady plaza on NH-66. As a result, fares for ordinary and Rajahamsa services were increased by ₹7 and ₹10, respectively, raising the bus fare from Mangaluru to Kasaragod from ₹81 to ₹88.

Senior Divisional Controller of KSRTC’s Mangaluru division, Rajesh Shetty, said the fares were reduced after toll collection at the Arikkady plaza was stopped. “The tollgate began operations on January 13, and the toll amount was deducted from the FASTag accounts of KSRTC buses operating on the route. Following an order from the central government to suspend toll collection, KSRTC has also withdrawn the additional fare with immediate effect,” he said.

At present, vehicles travelling on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route pay toll only at the Talapady toll plaza. The toll for light motor vehicles (LMVs) at Talapady is ₹80 for a same-day return, while heavy vehicles, including buses, are charged ₹250. At Arikkady, the toll rates were ₹130 for LMVs (same-day return) and ₹450 for buses.

Protests against Arikkady toll plaza

The Arikkady toll plaza witnessed widespread protests from January 12, the day toll collection commenced. On the second day, an action committee led by Manjeshwar MLA A K M Ashraf launched an indefinite protest at the site. Except for the BJP, leaders and workers of most major political parties participated in the agitation.

On the night of January 14, a large number of protesters gathered at the plaza and vandalised property, following which authorities temporarily suspended toll operations. The BJP later also expressed opposition to the toll plaza and criticised NHAI’s decision.

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