Top cop holds media responsible for tarnishing image of peace-loving Mangaluru

coastaldigest.com news network

March 8, 2018

Mangaluru: Police Commissioner T R Suresh has reiterated that constant negative portrayal by mass media and social media has tarnished the image of the coastal city of Mangaluru in spite of the fact that people of this city are peace-loving and friendly.

Speaking at an interactive session organised by Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) here on Wednesday (March 7), the top cop said that though crimes in Mangaluru are no different from those in other parts of the State or country, the city is getting a negative image because of their unnecessary glorification.

Stating that Mangaluru is not communally sensitive city as it is being projected, he said: “I have worked in communally sensitive regions in the State. Having worked here for nine months, I do not see any reason to call Mangaluru communally sensitive,” he said.

Mr. Suresh said that like any other city, there are clashes among communities in Mangaluru too. “But the incidents here get highlighted, while far serious ones reported in other parts are largely ignored. The same is the case with regard to incidents of moral policing,” he said.

Citing an instance, Mr. Suresh said while cases of assault were registered under Sections 324 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) of the Indian Penal Code in other parts of the State, the same were registered under Section 307 (attempt to murder) in Mangaluru. “Complaints are given in a way that they attract Section 307 of the IPC. If we do not register under Section 307, allegations are made that we are suppressing the case,” he said.

While 83 cases under Section 307 were registered in 2016, 69 were registered in 2017. In all, 5,420 cases, including 24 murders, were registered in 2016, and 5,824 cases, including 16 murders, were registered last year. “If we compare these numbers with other districts, they are not huge,” Mr. Suresh said.

KCCI president Vathika Pai submitted a memorandum to the Police Commissioner on the occasion, requesting him to solve traffic related issues in the city.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

Siddaramaiah's camp on alert as Karnataka Congress leadership rift escalates

News Network

November 27,2025

Bengaluru, Nov 27: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s camp is reportedly on alert as the Congress leadership tussle in the state intensifies, particularly amid speculation over the potential promotion of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah is said to be in a “wait-and-watch” mode after admitting to “confusion” earlier this week and urging the party to “put a full stop” to it.

Sources say his supporters are ready to act if senior leaders — including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi — give any indication of backing Shivakumar. If the party insists on a leadership change, Siddaramaiah’s camp has a list of alternatives, underscoring the deep rift between the two leaders. One possible candidate is Home Minister G. Parameshwara, a Siddaramaiah loyalist and influential Dalit leader.

The strategy was reportedly finalized at a meeting led by PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, another Siddaramaiah supporter, who stressed that Delhi leaders need to resolve the issue. Kharge and the Gandhis are expected to meet soon, after which Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may be summoned to Delhi.

Shivakumar has largely stayed non-confrontational, publicly endorsing Siddaramaiah and downplaying speculation about his own ambitions. However, he has made pointed comments emphasizing the importance of honoring promises, directed at Siddaramaiah.

The feud traces back to the 2023 state election, when Siddaramaiah was chosen as Chief Minister while Shivakumar, who led the party’s campaign, was made Deputy CM and state party chief — a departure from the Congress’ usual “one post per person” rule.

There were also hints of a prior understanding that Siddaramaiah would step down midway through the term. As the halfway mark passed last week, Shivakumar-aligned lawmakers have ramped up pressure on the party for a leadership change, with Shivakumar himself hinting at stepping down as state party chief to pursue the top job.

Comments