Police make no headway into murder attempt case; Rahim Uchil recovers

[email protected] (CD Network)
March 16, 2012
Mangalore, March 16: Mangalore City Police have failed to make any headway in the sensational murder attempt on Karnataka Beary Sahithya Academy Chief Rahim Uchil even a day after the heart rending incident.

It is learnt that police, during last 24-hours, have questioned several people including his relatives, friends and members of some organisations. A couple of hours after Thursday's brutal attack, Bajpe police had taken two persons from their jurisdiction into custody. However, both of them were released later in the evening.

Though the CCTV camera installed at the adjacent building of Presidium complex, in which the office of Beary Academy is located, had captured the scene of assailants entering into the office, their faces are not visible. All the six miscreants had covered their faces with kerchiefs. The CC TV camera at the building in front of the Academy office also has captured the images but they are of low resolution and the zoom images are not seen clearly.

rahimuchil

Mangalore City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh has expressed confidence to nab all the culprits soon. “Three separate teams have been constituted under the leadership of three inspectors - Thilak Chandra, Vinay Gaunkar and Venkatesh Prasanna. They are also looking for a clue and are taking help of local shop keepers and residents”, he said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Jagannath said that currently the probe was in progress in three different angles including religious and personal enmity.

Meanwhile, medical sources have said that Mr Uchil, who sustained severe injuries on neck, chest, hands and other parts of the body, was out of danger. “Though he is still in the intensive care unit, now he can speak” said a doctor.

According to Mr Uchil's wife Shahina it was God's grace that his life was saved. “I am a bit relieved now. I visited him in the morning and feel a lot better,” she said.

“He had received a threat call a month back. But I had not heard of any such things ever since. He generally would not speak about such things with me,” she said.

“He had a loud mouth. But he is not the person to take up a fight. He always helped people from our community. Our own people (Bearys) would come to him seeking some help or the other. We did not have many non-Muslim people coming to our place. But unfortunately, those people (Bearys) who sought his help talked ill of him from behind”, she said.

“He survived because he knew a trick or two to avoid such attacks. He must have used his arm as a shield when they came to slay his neck,” said a relative of him who was in the hospital.

Mr Uchil's marital life also saw some twists. Having married a second time there were many complaints against him. Recently there were rumours about a woman slapping him in Padubidri. But, he had denied the rumours, saying that it was a political conspiracy against him.

He was working as an Anchor in one of the local channels in the city. Mr Uchil was actively involved in BJP. He had struggled hard for the presidential post of the Beary Academy. Moreover, some of his recent statements following the Hindu Samajotsava in Uppinagady had sparked controversy.

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News Network
February 4,2026

Mangaluru: Urban local bodies and gram panchayats should make the use of Kannada on signboards mandatory while issuing trade licences to commercial establishments, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Darshan HV said. He also called for regular inspections to ensure compliance.

Presiding over the District Kannada Awareness Committee meeting at the deputy commissioner’s office, Darshan said the city corporation would be directed to ensure that shops operating in malls prominently display their names in Kannada. “All commercial establishments, including shops, companies, offices and hotels, must mandatorily display their names in Kannada on signboards,” he said.

The deputy commissioner added that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) would be instructed to include Kannada on signboards along national highways. Banks, he said, would be directed through committee meetings to provide application forms in Kannada.

“Even if English-medium schools and colleges impart education in English, their signboards must display the institution’s name in Kannada. Steps will also be taken to ensure that private buses display place names in Kannada,” Darshan said.

During the meeting, committee members raised concerns over the closure of Kannada-medium schools in rural areas due to a shortage of teachers and stressed the need for immediate corrective measures. They also pointed out that several industries employ workers from other states while overlooking local candidates.

Members further demanded that nationalised banks provide deposit and withdrawal slips in Kannada. It was brought to the deputy commissioner’s notice that the presence of staff without knowledge of Kannada in rural branches of nationalised banks is causing hardship to local customers.

Meanwhile, MP Srinath, president of the District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, urged the district administration to allot land for the construction of a district Kannada Bhavana in Mangaluru.

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News Network
February 3,2026

Bengaluru: Following reports of fresh Nipah virus (NiV) cases in West Bengal and heightened vigilance across parts of Southeast Asia, the Karnataka Health Department has placed the state on high alert and activated emergency preparedness protocols.

Health officials said enhanced surveillance measures have been initiated after two healthcare workers in Barasat, West Bengal, tested positive for the virus earlier this month. While no cases have been reported in Karnataka so far, authorities said the state’s past exposure to Nipah outbreaks and high inter-state mobility warranted preventive action.

Officials have directed district health teams to intensify monitoring, particularly at hospitals and points of entry, and to ensure early detection and isolation of suspected cases.

High Mortality Virus with Multiple Transmission Routes

Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that can spread from animals to humans and has a reported fatality rate ranging between 60 and 75 per cent. Fruit bats, also known as flying foxes, are the natural reservoirs of the virus and can transmit it by contaminating food sources with saliva or urine.

Known modes of transmission include:

•    Contaminated food: Consumption of fruits partially eaten by bats or raw date-palm sap
•    Animal contact: Exposure to infected pigs or other animals
•    Human-to-human transmission: Close contact with body fluids of infected persons, particularly in healthcare settings

Symptoms and Disease Progression

The incubation period typically ranges from 4 to 14 days, though delayed onset has also been reported. Early symptoms often resemble common viral infections, making prompt clinical suspicion critical.

•    Initial symptoms: Fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, sore throat
•    Progressive symptoms: Drowsiness, disorientation, altered mental state
•    Severe stage: Seizures, neck stiffness and acute encephalitis, which can rapidly progress to coma

Public Health Advisory

The Health Department has issued precautionary guidelines urging the public to adopt risk-avoidance practices to prevent any local spillover.

Do’s
•    Wash fruits thoroughly before consumption
•    Drink boiled and cooled water
•    Use protective equipment while handling livestock
•    Maintain strict hand hygiene

Don’ts
•    Avoid fruits found on the ground or showing bite marks
•    Do not consume beverages made from raw tree sap, including toddy
•    Avoid areas with dense bat populations
•    Do not handle sick or dead animals

Preparedness Measures

Officials confirmed that isolation wards are being readied in major government hospitals and that medical staff are being sensitised to identify early warning signs.

“There is no cause for panic, but there is a need for heightened vigilance,” a senior health official said, adding that there is currently no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for Nipah, and care remains largely supportive.

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News Network
February 5,2026

In an era where digital distractions are the primary rival to academic excellence, the Karnataka Education Department is taking the fight directly to the living room. As the SSLC (Class 10) annual examinations loom, officials have launched a localized "digital strike" to ensure students aren't losing their competitive edge to scrolling or soap operas.

The 7-to-9 Lockdown

The department has issued a formal directive urging—and in some cases, enforcing via home visits—a total blackout of mobile phones and television sets between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. This two-hour window is being designated as "sacred study time" across the state until the examinations conclude on April 2.

Key Pillars of the Initiative:

•    Doorstep Advocacy: Teachers are transitioning from classrooms to living rooms, meeting parents to explain the psychological benefits of a distraction-free environment.

•    Parental Accountability: The campaign shifts the burden of discipline from the student to the household, asking parents to lead by example and switch off their own devices.

•    The Timeline: The focus remains sharp on the upcoming exam block, scheduled from March 18 to April 2.

"The objective is simple: uninterrupted focus. We are reclaiming the evening hours for the students, ensuring their environment is as prepared as their minds," stated a senior department official.

Student vs. Reality

While the student community has largely welcomed the "forced focus"—with many admitting they lack the willpower to ignore notifications—the move has sparked a debate on enforceability. Without a "TV Police," the success of this initiative rests entirely on the shoulders of parents and the persuasive power of visiting educators.

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