Tight security in Dakshina Kannada for Apr 18 polls; Sec 144 clamped till April 19

coastaldigest.com news network
April 16, 2019

Mangaluru, Apr 16: Security has been beefed up ahead of April 18 Lok Sabha polls across Dakshina Kannada even as Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil today clamped the prohibitory orders under section 144 from 6 p.m. on April 16 to 6 p.m. on April 19. Meanwhile, the district administration also has declared dry days from April 16 to the midnight of April 18.

Mr Senthil told media persons that the administration has made special arrangement for the mustering day. “We will provide basic medical kit to polling personnel. There are 641 sensitive booths. Live streaming will be done to keep an eye on the process of election. There will 95 hand held cameras, 300 micro observers and six central paramilitary forces will be deployed at sensitive booths,” he said.

There are 8,45,308 male, 8,79,050 female and 102 other voters in the district with 1,861 polling stations. The candidates can arrange one table and two chairs for the use of their agents and workers for the distribution of unofficial identity slips to voters beyond the distance of 200 meters from the polling stations. There will be no scope for transportation of voters which will be an offence. Only Election Commission transportation vehicle will be permitted, the DC said.

Mangaluru police gear up for polls

Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sandeep Patil said that there are 883 polling booths within the city commissionerate limits, of which 220 are critical. Three City Armed Reserve platoons have been deployed in each of the four assembly constituencies that come under Mangaluru city police. Similarly, eight KSRP platoons have also been deployed.

The city has 220 vulnerable polling booths in 93 areas, from where police have identified 501 persons as intimidators and appropriate action has been taken against them. Out of the 220 vulnerable and critical booths at 156 polling booths, the Central Armed Police Forces will provide security. At the rest of the critical booths, micro observers and video observers have been deployed.

On the polling day, two DCPs, seven ACP/DySP, 16 police inspectors, 37 Police Sub Inspectors, 79 ASIs along with 1,500 staff including home guards and head constables will be part of the bandobast in addition to two companies of central forces, 8 KSRP and 12 CAR platoons.

About 430 rowdy elements have been identified and preventive cases have been booked under CRPC section 107, 109, 110 to prevent any untoward incident. Externment orders have been passed against 17 rowdies under Mangaluru city police limits. About 21 checkposts have been set up at the inter- state borders of which 10 are static surveillance team checkposts and 11 are police checkposts. So far about Rs 28.25 lakh cash has been seized and after scanning through documents, cases have been disposed.

Three cases have been booked under the Representation of People's Act - carrying flags and pamphlets of a political party at Mangaluru East police station, a case related to carrying posters towards Kerala and a case of a person being impersonated on FB.

So far about 1,949 weapons have been deposited out of the 2,011 weapons licensed in the Mangaluru city police limits.

Appropriate security arrangement s have been made at mustering and de-mustering centres including Mahaveer College, Moodbidri, Rosario School, Canara College and Ramakrishna College, Mangaluru. After de-mustering, appropriate security will be provided for the EVMs and VVPAT machines till the day of counting. People can report any illegal activity on 0824-2220800.

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News Network
December 7,2025

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Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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News Network
December 17,2025

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Melkar, Dec 17: The 17th Annual Day and Graduation Ceremony of Melkar Women’s PU and Degree College, themed “Fusion-2K25,” was celebrated with dignity and enthusiasm, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s academic journey. The programme reflected the college’s steadfast commitment to academic excellence, character building, and the holistic development of students.

The event was inaugurated by Mr. Asif Mohammed, whose presence greatly enriched the occasion. The celebration was further graced by the chief guests Mr. P. B. Ahmed Mudassir and Mr. Nissar Fakeer Mohammed, along with the distinguished guests of honour Mr. B. A. Nazeer and Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar. In their inspiring addresses, the guests encouraged the graduating students and appreciated the dedicated efforts of the management, faculty, and students.

The annual report was presented by the Principal, Mr. Abdul Majeed S, highlighting the institution’s academic progress, notable achievements, and extracurricular accomplishments during the academic year.

The presidential address was delivered by the esteemed Chairman of Melkar Women’s PU and Degree College, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasized the vital role of education in empowering women and shaping responsible citizens. He also stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and perseverance in achieving success.

Cultural programmes and academic recognitions formed an integral part of the celebration, showcasing the talents and achievements of the students. The graduation ceremony was a proud moment for the outgoing students as they were formally conferred degrees and wished success in their future endeavours.

Ms. Mashmooma Fathima served as the Master of Ceremonies. The welcome address was delivered by Ms. Fathima Nida, and the programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Ms. Ayisha Suhana.

The event successfully achieved its objectives and was highly appreciated by the guests and attendees.

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: In a decisive move to tackle the city’s deteriorating sanitation infrastructure, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has announced a massive ₹1,200 crore action plan to overhaul its underground drainage (UGD) network.

The initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV, aims to bridge "missing links" in the current system that have left residents grappling with overflowing sewage and environmental hazards.

The Breaking Point

The announcement follows a high-intensity phone-in session on Thursday, where the DC was flooded with grievances from frustrated citizens. Residents, including Savithri from Yekkur, described a harrowing reality: raw sewage from apartments leaking into stormwater drains, creating a "permanent stink" and turning residential zones into mosquito breeding grounds.

"We are facing immense difficulties due to the stench and the health risks. Local officials have remained silent until now," one resident reported during the session.

The Strategy: A Six-Year Vision

DC Darshan HV confirmed that the proposed plan is not a temporary patch but a comprehensive six-year roadmap designed to accommodate Mangaluru’s projected population growth. Key highlights of the plan include:

•    Infrastructure Expansion: Laying additional pipelines to connect older neighborhoods to the main grid.

•    STP Crackdown: Stricter enforcement of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) regulations. While new apartments are required to have functional STPs, many older buildings lack them entirely, and several newer units are reportedly non-functional.

•    Budgetary Push: The plan has already been discussed with the district in-charge minister and the Secretary of the Urban Development Department. It is slated for formal presentation in the upcoming state budget.

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