Israel occupies 6,000 acres in West Bank in largest land grab in decades

Mangaluru, July 4: In a startling turn of events, a man who claims to be a former sanitation worker in Dharmasthala village has filed a sensational complaint alleging a series of brutal murders and systematic cover-ups spanning nearly two decades.

The complainant, represented by Bengaluru-based lawyers Ojaswi Gowda and Sachin Deshpande, submitted a six-page letter to the Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police and Dharmasthala police, detailing chilling claims of being forced to dispose of multiple bodies under threat to his and his family’s life.

Police officials on Thursday confirmed receiving the complaint, stating that an inquiry would be launched and action taken based on its findings.

The case first came to light after a letter from the lawyers began circulating on social media. The letter revealed their client's intent to approach Dharmasthala Police with disclosures on “heinous crimes” committed in the region, citing a “guilt conscience” as the reason for coming forward.

According to the complaint:

The man says he worked at Dharmasthala from 1995 to December 2014.

During this time, he was allegedly coerced into burying bodies in secret, under constant threat.

In December 2014, fearing for his life, he fled with his family and went into hiding in a neighbouring state.

He recently returned to a burial site, allegedly revisiting a spot where a body was exhumed — and submitted photographs as part of his complaint.

The complaint also alleges the involvement of “influential individuals” in the killings and subsequent intimidation. The man has sought protection under the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018, before naming those responsible.

Lawyers Ojaswi and Sachin attempted to meet SP Dr Arun K on June 27, but he was unavailable during their visit.

The allegations — if proven — could open the doors to one of the most explosive criminal investigations in the region’s recent history.

Shivamogga: Tension prevailed in the Bangarappa Layout area of Shivamogga's Raggigudda locality on Sunday after unidentified miscreants allegedly desecrated a Ganesha and Naga idols, police sources said.

They also said the Naga idol fell into the roadside drain.

According to the sources, the incident occurred in the Shantinagar ward of the district headquarters town of Shivamogga, where the idols had recently been installed on the main road of the Bangarappa Layout.

Residents of the area strongly condemned the act of vandalism and expressed anger over the alleged insult to the deities.

Senior police officers visited the spot and held discussions with the local community.

The officers told residents that a case has been registered and they promised strict action against the culprits.

Additional police forces have been deployed in the area, and tight security arrangements are in place to prevent any further disturbance.

The situation is currently under control, and police are continuing their investigation.

In a post on 'X', BJP state president Vijayendra alleged that after a brief pause in their acts of mischief in Shivamogga, anti-Hindu elements have once again resumed their wrongdoing.

Vijayendra, an MLA from Shikaripura in Shivamogga district, said, In Raggigudda, miscreants desecrated the idols of Ganesha and Sheshanaga. He also said the idol was thrown into a drain.

Attacking the Congress government in the state, he said, "The @INCKarnataka government, which looks at Hindu organisations with a jaundiced eye, has always stood as a backbone to anti-Hindu forces. Especially in Shivamogga district, the excesses of miscreants have reached extreme levels," he alleged.

Mangaluru, July 8: In a significant employment push for the region, the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme, introduced by the central government through the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), is expected to generate 20,000 to 25,000 new jobs in Dakshina Kannada district.

Announcing this at a press meet on Monday, Rajib Mukherjee, Regional Commissioner of EPFO Mangaluru, said the initiative targets 2,500 to 3,000 establishments in the district, with a major focus on boosting employment and social security, particularly in the manufacturing sector.

"The ELI scheme is designed not only to support first-time job seekers but also to incentivize employers for generating sustainable employment," Mukherjee said.

Key Highlights of the Scheme:

•    For first-time employees, the government will provide EPF wage support of up to ₹15,000, disbursed in two installments.

•    Employers who create new jobs will receive incentives of up to ₹3,000 per new hire per month for a duration of two years.

•    In the manufacturing sector, these incentives will continue for an additional two years (years three and four), encouraging long-term hiring.

Wider Goals and Eligibility:

The ELI scheme is part of the Prime Minister’s five-scheme package announced in the 2024–25 Union Budget, which aims to generate 3.5 crore jobs across India over two years.

•    The benefits will apply to jobs created between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027.

•    Employees with a monthly salary of up to ₹1 lakh are eligible.

•    Employers hiring within this salary range are eligible for government subsidies, provided the job is retained for at least six months.

Awareness and Outreach:

EPFO is conducting awareness camps across Dakshina Kannada to inform businesses and job seekers about the scheme’s benefits and application process.

Officials U Panduranga Kini, Nagendra Babu Gutti, Benny Lobo, and Anita R were also present at the briefing.