Tension grips TN’s Vedaranyam as clashes erupt between Dalits and Caste Hindus

News Network
August 26, 2019

Nagapattinam, Aug 26: Tension prevailed in Vedaranyam and surrounding areas in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu as clashes erupted between casteist Hindus and dalits following attack on a lower caste man last evening.

The clash broke out at around when a Dalit man, Ramachandran, was found in front of a parked SUV, screaming from grievous injury on his leg.

The suspect, named Pandiyan, a functionary of a dominant caste-based outfit, allegedly injured Ramachandran, quickly got out of the SUV and ran into Vedaranyam police Station to seek refuge but was soon recognised by Ramachandran’s supporters.

Pandemonium broke loose in minutes when news spread that Pandiyan had hacked Ramachandran over the previous enmity. Ramachandran was rushed to the nearby, Vedaranyam government hospital.

His friends and supporters gathered in front of Vedaranyam police station and demanded that Pandiyan be sent out.

The station was understaffed to control the growing mob due to bandobast in Velankanni.

The audacious mob bludgeoned Pandiyan’s SUV for more than 15 minutes, before torching the vehicle.

The fumes engulfed the area including the Vedaranyam bus stand and the police station but were soon doused by fire services. The frustrated mob then stoned the police station.

On hearing about Pandiyan’s torched vehicle, his supporters gathered in front of the station and vandalised the statue of Dr BR Amedkar situated in between the police station and the bus stand.

Witnessing the clash, the public went haywire, some even recorded the acts on their mobile phones.

Clashes continued to break out even near the Vedaranyam government hospital where Ramachandran was admitted.

He was later rushed to Tiruvarur Medical College Hospital for further treatment. The two supporters of Pandiyan who were allegedly attacked were also admitted to the same hospital.

Heavy security was deployed near Vedaranyam bus stand and the general hospital on Sunday night. Further investigation is underway at the Vedaranyam Police Station.

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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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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
December 4,2025

Mangaluru: Chaos erupted at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) after IndiGo flight 6E 5150, bound for Mumbai, was repeatedly delayed and ultimately cancelled, leaving around 100 passengers stranded overnight. The incident highlights the ongoing country-wide operational disruptions affecting the airline, largely due to the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms for crew.

The flight was initially scheduled for 9:25 PM on Tuesday but was first postponed to 11:40 PM, then midnight, before being cancelled around 3:00 AM. Passengers expressed frustration over last-minute communication and the lack of clarity, with elderly and ailing travellers particularly affected. “Though the airline arranged food, there was no proper communication, leaving us confused,” said one family member.

An IndiGo executive at MIA cited the FDTL rules, designed to prevent pilot fatigue by limiting crew working hours, as the cause of the cancellation. While alternative arrangements, including hotel stays, were offered, about 100 passengers chose to remain at the airport, creating tension. A replacement flight was arranged but also faced delays due to the same constraints, finally departing for Mumbai around 1:45 PM on Wednesday. Passengers either flew, requested refunds, or postponed their travel.

The Mangaluru delay is part of a broader crisis for IndiGo. The airline has been forced to make “calibrated schedule adjustments”—a euphemism for widespread cancellations and delays—after stricter FDTL norms came into effect on November 1.

While an IndiGo spokesperson acknowledged unavoidable flight disruptions due to technology issues, operational requirements, and the updated crew rostering rules, the DGCA has intervened, summoning senior airline officials to explain the chaos and outline corrective measures.

The ripple effect has been felt across the country, with major hubs like Bengaluru and Mumbai reporting numerous cancellations. The Mangaluru incident underscores the systemic operational strain currently confronting India’s largest carrier, leaving passengers nationwide grappling with uncertainty and delays.

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