Arrested MCJ student innocent: Dalit organizations

March 5, 2012

Mangalore, March 5: Raising concern over the arrest of Vittal Malekudiya, a journalism post graduate student from Mangalore University, by the Anti Naxal Force sleuths on the charges of being naxal sympathiser, Belthangady taluk Dalita Hakkugala Horata Samiti Secretary Eshwari Padmunja claimed that the boy was innocent and requested the Superintendent of Police to release him.

At the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes monthly grievance meet held at SP's office on Sunday, Eshwari said that police charges against the boy was far from reality. “The boy who hails from Kuthloor in Belthangady taluk is the member of Adivasi Samanvaya Samiti. He was always in the forefront to fight for the benefit of people and he opposed naxalism. Why was he arrested without proper base?” she asked.

Meanwhile, she requested the SP to release the boy taking into consideration his academic career. The boy is supposed to write his university examinations in a few days. The arrest would affect his studies, she said.


Responding to her request, Superintendent of Police Abhishek Goyal stated that the enquiry is being conducted and the boy and his father will be set free if they are found innocent.

Coming down heavily on Belthangady Circle Inspector Balakrishnaiah for insulting her for being a Dalit, Eshwari urged the SP to suspend the Inspector.

“I had been to the Belthangady police station recently with regard to a complaint pertaining to one Dinesh Naik. But the Circle Inspector insulted me saying 'if I am a Dalit I should stay at home.' His attitude is the same with all Dalits,” she rued.

The Superindent of Police said that he was already informed about the matter and the preliminary enquiry has revealed no evidence against the Inspector.

“We would conduct further enquiry and take disciplinary action against the Inspector if he is proved guilty. However, the department will not suspend him.”

Dalit girl abused

Dalit Sangharsh Samiti leader S P Anand narrated an incident where a Dalit girl from Sullia was abused by an upper-caste man Mohan Gowda (50). Mohan Gowda is married and has three children, but he abused the II PUC girl wooing her of providing a job. The man locked her in a room and developed physical relationship with the girl. The incident had happened three months ago and First Information Report was filed in Sullia Police Station. The police took the girl into the custody and later shifted her to Prajna Counselling Centre in Mangalore. But in the recent development, Mohan Gowda has taken away the girl from the Centre. How could he take her all by himself without bringing it to the notice of the police, questioned Anand.

The SP directed the Sullia Circle Inspector to take up the matter for further investigation.

Poor response

The SC / ST meet received a very poor response on Sunday, so much so that the SP quipped, “It appears like police personnel and journalists have outnumbered the SC / ST community members in today's meet.”

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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 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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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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