Kerala man kidnapped in Oman, family receives ransom calls

September 23, 2013

Dubai, Sep 23: The family of an Indian worker kidnapped in Oman two days ago has received ransom calls demanding a huge amount for his release, according to a media report on Saturday.

haneefa

The man, identified only as Haneefa from Kerala, went missing two days ago when he had gone to meet some friends in Sohar city, about 200 km north of Muscat.

Later, his family reportedly received phone calls from Oman by "Urdu-speaking people" demanding money in return for his release.

"We were thinking that he had gone to meet some friends but later on we learned that his family in Kerala and his brother-in-law in Saudi Arabia had received phone calls.

"Then we realised he may have been abducted," Haneefa's friends and fellow workers said.

According to Haneefa's family, the callers were demanding ransom for his release.

"They were calling from Internet phones. Later, when we stopped receiving those calls, we discovered they had pressured Haneefa to make calls from his own number," his family said.

The family said initially the callers were demanding OMR 2,000 ($ 5,201) within 24 hours for his release, but later the demands were changed.

"Now they are demanding a huge amount to be deposited in another Asian country. We have filed a case with the local police station here and the Indian embassy in Muscat has also been informed about this," his family members reported.

Meanwhile, a social worker in close contact with police officials in Sohar said the police had made a breakthrough in the case. "They will crack the case soon. They told me that they have some leads," he added.

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News Network
May 8,2024

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru North police have apprehended a minor in connection with alleged voyeurism incident reported in a private medical college in Mangaluru. 

DCP (Law and order) Sidharth Goyal said that the minor was produced before JJ Board as per due procedure. The incident came to light when a mobile phone was found in women's washroom in the college. 

The mobile-phone was discovered as it was ringing even when no one was in the toilet by the security guard of the college. 

Investigations revealed that the mobile phone had been strategically placed in the restroom. As a result, a case has been registered under north police station.

Further scrutiny into the matter uncovered the identity of the accused, a minor male aged 17, who had gained access to the college premises under the guise of being a patient. Following his apprehension, the accused was presented before the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Board in adherence to legal protocols.

The phone has been seized and a case has been booked under IPC section 354 (C), said the DCP.

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News Network
May 20,2024

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Mangaluru, May 20: In a heart-wrenching tragedy, a Class 3 girl student tragically lost her life due to the collapse of the compound wall of Harekala Hajabba Government Senior Primary School in Newpadpu, situated on the outskirts of the city, during the evening hours of Monday, May 20, following heavy rains.

The young victim, identified as Shazia Banu (7), was the cherished daughter of Siddique and Jamila, residing in Newpadpu. She met her untimely demise in the unfortunate accident.

Over the past two days, students from the National Service Scheme (NSS) at Mudipu Undergraduate College had been engaged in activities at the Harekala Hajabba School. 

Shazia, who lived in close proximity to the school, eagerly participated in these endeavours. Tragically, while playing near the school compound gate before returning home in the evening, the wall collapsed suddenly, fatally injuring her. Despite the prompt efforts of local residents to rescue her, Shazia succumbed to her injuries.

The incessant rainfall in Ullal taluk since the morning had significantly weakened the structural integrity of the compound wall, ultimately resulting in its collapse. Officials from the Harekala gram panchayat and the Konaje police promptly responded to the scene and have initiated an investigation into the matter.

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News Network
May 12,2024

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Mangaluru: A native of Kerala was arrested on charge of misbehaving with crew on an Air India Express flight while travelling from Dubai to Mangaluru International Airport. The man even threatened to jump from the aircraft, according to officials. 

Siddartha Das, the security coordinator for Air India Express, lodged a complaint against the passenger, identified as Muhammad BC from Kannur, Kerala, after which he was caught by the airport security once the flight landed at Mangaluru. He was later handed over to the police.

DCP (Law and Order) Sidharth Goyal said the incident occurred on Flight IX814 on May 8.

When the flight was above the sea, Muhammad reportedly said he wanted to get off the plane, posing a threat to all on board. The unruly flyer was detained by airport security once the flight landed at Mangaluru International Airport and he was handed over to Bajpe police station officials.

Sources added once the flight took off from Dubai, the accused went to the lavatory and thereafter started inquiring with the cabin crew about a person named Krishna who was not on the flight. Muhammad kept on pressing the bell for in-flight assistance, even though the cabin crew members were near at hand. He then picked up a life jacket, gave it to a crew member, and said he wanted to use it upon landing.

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