Homestay attack: All you had to do was dial 100, Seemant tells media

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar)

July 30, 2012

Mangalore, July 30: Seemant Kumar Singh, Mangalore City Police Commissioner, on Monday said that he does not hold media as a whole responsible for the attack which took place on young boys and girls at a homestay in Padil in the presence of their cameras.

Addressing media persons at his office after a memorandum was submitted to him by the Dakshina Kannada District Working Journalists' Association requesting him to drop the FIRs registered against media persons in connection with the case, Mr. Singh said that no media person has been arrested and that their role is still being investigated. “Although one of the arrested has told us that he had informed the media, we are not going by his word just as yet. The matter is being investigated”, he said.

Mr. Singh said that media persons arrived at the spot to do their duty. “However, you and I have a bigger duty and responsibility towards the society and you should have informed the police. The concerned media person has said that the mob outnumbered media persons at the spot and there was very little he could do. If you were really concerned, you could have done much more. All you had to do was dial 100”, he said.

When it was pointed out that many a time police do not respond to calls made by media persons, Mr. Singh said that he would direct all police officers to see that media persons' calls are attended to and revert back to them in case they are unable to pick calls for some reason.

Mr. Singh maintained that the video footage shot by media persons have helped in identifying some of the culprits behind the assault. “But had you informed us beforehand, there would not have been a need to go through the footage at all. The incident could have been prevented”, he said. Media persons focused more on capturing the victims on camera rather than the culprits, he alleged.

In response to a query on the inaction of police personnel also being present at the spot when the assaulters were in the homestay, Mr. Singh asked for evidence for the early presence of police at the spot. If police officers are found to have been guilty, action would be taken against them, he assured.

Denying that the police have registered FIRs against media persons for personal grudge and enmity, Mr. Singh invited media persons to name a few members from their side to be a part of a common committee along with the police to sort the matter out.

Earlier, a delegation of media persons led by P B Harish Rai, President, DK District Working Journalists' Association, submitted a memorandum to the Commissioner. Stating that it is the democratic right of the media to convey to the people what is happening in society, Mr. Rai requested Mr. Singh to drop the cases against media persons and create an environment where members of the media fraternity could carry out their job with freedom.

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Mangaluru’s public transport revolution: 100 new govt electric buses to end private ‘trip-cutting’

News Network

December 19,2025

Mangaluru: Public transport in Mangaluru is set for a state-led transformation as the government moves to deploy 100 new electric govt buses to replace unreliable private services. The initiative aims to provide a dependable alternative to private operators who have been frequently "cutting trips," leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

The announcement was made by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV during a public phone-in session. The move specifically targets routes where private bus service has become erratic, ensuring that citizens no longer have to rely on a fluctuating private sector for their daily commute.

Restoring the Govt Presence

The transport crisis was brought to the forefront by Ramayya, a resident of Bajal, who highlighted a growing trend of private buses skipping morning and night trips. With the previous KSRTC (govt) services discontinued, residents have been left without a fallback option.

To fix this, the DC confirmed that the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme will bring 100 government-owned electric buses to the city:

• Phased Deployment: The first 50 of the new 100 government buses are scheduled to arrive by March 2026.

• State Infrastructure: Two new government depots, including one at Mudipu, are being prepared for operations.

• Recruitment: The state has already begun training a new batch of government bus drivers to ensure the fleet is operational the moment it arrives.

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Post-Sabarimala pilgrimage drinking party turns fatal in Udupi; youth killed in midnight brawl

News Network

December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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