Vittala was in touch with naxals: Infant

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Savitha B R )

April 12, 2012

Mangalore, April 12: Vittala Malekudiya, the MCJ student of Mangalore University who was arrested by Anti-Naxal Forces on charges of alleged naxal links has not been taken into custody without evidences indicating his involvement in naxal activities said A R Infant, Director General of Police (DGP), Karnataka.

Speaking to mediapersons at a press meet at the Police Commissioner's office in Mangalore on Thursday, Mr. Infant said that police does not intend to arrest anyone without a reason. “What I know from the information that I have received so far is that there are evidences against him pointing towards his involvement in naxal activities. The police have taken the step after watching his movements. He is found to have given logistic support to the naxals and attended their meetings. From his mobile phone call details it has been found that he was in touch with naxalites. But I have sympathies for him since he is a student and will look into the matter and verify the claims against him”, Mr. Infant said.

Of his visit to the ANF camps at Karkala and Sringeri, the DGP said that the morale of the personnel deployed in the regions is high and are doing a good job in the midst hostile terrains. “Our job is to provide security to the people of these naxal affected areas and our sheer presence has instilled confidence in them”, he said.

Stating that the police department intends to bring misguided youth back to the mainstream, Mr. Infant said that the police has kept its surrender policy open. “Some have already surrendered and some are in the process of surrendering themselves. We want to rehabilitate them and bring them to the mainstream. They should be able to stand on their feet. We are open to making changes in the policy too in case there is room for improvement. But those naxals who indulge in crime will be dealt with under the law and as far as they are concerned, there will be no let-up”, Mr. Infant said.

Responding to one of the queries from mediapersons about the investigation of the cache of arms that were recovered from a naxal affected area in Belthangady recently, Mr. Infant said that probe is in progress and an attempt to trace the origin of the granades is being made.

When asked about the Panjinamogaru double murder case, the DGP said that CID is investigating the matter.

He refused to comment on the Shankar Bidari episode involving the government stating that the matter is subjudice.

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Mangaluru Tees Off Big: Golf Excellence Academy to Open at Pilikula

News Network

February 1,2026

The coastal city of Mangaluru is gearing up for a major sporting milestone with the launch of a Golf Excellence Academy at the Pilikula Golf Club (PGC), scheduled to open on May 31. The initiative aims to position Mangaluru firmly on India’s national golfing map.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday during PGC’s first-ever floodlit Pro-Am tournament, club captain Manoj Kumar Shetty said the project is being funded by UAE-based philanthropist Michael D’Souza and is currently in the design phase. Experts from leading golf academies across the country are expected to visit Mangaluru to help shape the training programme and infrastructure.

The academy will train 20 young golfers at a time, with a long-term vision of producing national-level players from the region. Until now, PGC relied on an in-house coach, but the recent renovation of the course and the introduction of floodlights have opened new possibilities for expanding the sport.

Shetty said discussions are underway with two reputed coaching academies, whose heads are expected to visit PGC shortly. “A dormitory for trainers is already under construction. We are inviting academies to assess the facilities and suggest changes so we can build a truly world-class Golf Excellence Academy,” he said.

Professional golfer Aryan Roopa Anand noted that the floodlit course would be a game-changer for young players. “Students can now practise after school hours, even up to 8 or 9 pm, without compromising on academics,” he said.

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From malls to highways, Kannada signboards to be enforced in Dakshina Kannada

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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