Rai seeks people’s cooperation in tackling drug menace in Dakshina Kannada

coastaldigest.com news network
October 13, 2017

Mangaluru, Oct 13: Expressing confidence that police will take necessary action against those involved in sale and consumption of cannabis in the coastal region, Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai has said that the cops also need full cooperation of people in tackling the menace.

He was speaking to reporters in the city after a meeting with Inspector General of Police (Western Range) Hemanth Nimbalkar, Police Commissioner T. R. Suresh, Superintendent of Police C.H. Sudheer Kumar Reddy and other officials.

He said that in addition to the strengthening of the special police wing for economic offences and narcotics, there will be regular interaction among different enforcement wings for effective action against persons involved in cannabis sale and consumption in the district.

Rai said the new narcotic and economic offences wing in the city police commissionerate and the district police was working since July. Apart from booking cases, the wing is also involved in creating awareness among students about narcotic drugs prevention. More personnel are being posted to strengthen the wings.

Rai said he has asked police to have regular interaction with Assistant Drug Controller, Excise Department and Revenue Department personnel regarding sale of cannabis and other narcotic drugs.

Kateel’s remarks

Rai denied allegations by local MP Nalin Kumar Kateel that the illegal drug peddling is on the rise in Dakshina Kannada from the last four years. Rai lambasted the opposition parties for adding political colours to the problem.

He said the illegal drug menace has been there in the district for more than 10 years. “The MP’s remarks that the senior leaders of Congress are behind drug peddling is totally false. He may be speaking on the basis of experiences in his own party, which was in power in the state earlier. The current government does not support drug peddlers, nor anyone from the government is involved in illegal drug trafficking or sale,” Rai said.

He meanwhile requested all political parties to join handling in warding off the drug menace from the district, instead of politicising the issue. 

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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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News Network
November 26,2025

Mangaluru, Nov 26: Assembly Speaker and local MLA U.T. Khader has initiated a high-level push to resolve one of Mangaluru’s longest-standing traffic headaches: the narrow, high-density stretch of National Highway-66 between Nanthoor and Talapady.

He announced on Tuesday that a formal proposal has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) seeking approval to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the widening of this crucial corridor.

The plan specifically aims to expand the existing 45-meter road width to a full 60 meters, coupled with the construction of dedicated service roads. Khader highlighted that land for a 60-meter highway was originally acquired during the initial four-laning project, but only 45 meters were developed, leading to a perpetual bottleneck.

"With vehicle density rising sharply, the expansion has become unavoidable," Khader stated, stressing that the upgrade is essential for ensuring smoother traffic flow and improving safety at the city's main entry and exit points.

The stretch between Nanthoor and Talapady is a vital link on the busy Kochi-Panvel coastal highway and connects to major city junctions. The move to utilize the previously acquired land for the full 60-meter width is seen as a necessary measure to catch up with the region's rapid vehicular growth and prevent further traffic gridlocks.

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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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