Author: NewsDesk

  • Udupi: Individuals Arrested for Drug Trafficking Targeting Students and Workers in Manipal

    Udupi, August 18, 2025 – In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, Manipal police arrested three individuals involved in the sale of ganja and LSD, targeting students and workers in private industries in Manipal, Udupi district. The accused, identified as Afshin from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Shivanidhi Acharya from Shivalli, Udupi, and Manish from Kasaragod, Kerala, were apprehended following a police operation led by Inspector Mahesh Prasad.

    The operation began after four workers from Kerala—Ajeesh (28), Vipin (32), Bipin (24), and Akhil (26)—tested positive for ganja consumption. Their samples, sent for laboratory analysis, confirmed the use, leading to cases being filed against them. Further investigation revealed that the ganja was supplied by Mithun, who sourced the drugs, including LSD, from Bengaluru for sale in Manipal.

    On Saturday night, police raided Room No. 03 on the first floor of Manipal Auto Bar near Narasinghe Devasthana Road in Herga village, seizing 1.237 kg of ganja, 0.038 grams of LSD strips, plastic covers, a digital scale, ₹2,000 in cash, and two mobile phones from Afshin and Shivanidhi. A subsequent raid on Manish’s residence at Flat No. 004, Mandavi Sapphire Apartment in Vidyaratna Nagar, Manipal, led to the recovery of 653 grams of ganja, two digital scales, a ganja crusher, ₹3,000 in cash, and one mobile phone. The accused were presented before the court, which remanded them to judicial custody.

    Afshin, a former student of a private Ayurvedic college, targeted engineering students and workers, while Shivanidhi, an engineering student from Mangaluru, sold drugs to students and locals. Manish, a welder, supplied ganja to workers from Kerala and other states in Manipal. Notably, Afshin has a prior MDMA trafficking case from 2023 in Manipal, and Manish was involved in a ganja consumption case in Bekal, Kerala.

    Acting on instructions from Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar IPS, the Manipal police recently conducted drug tests on out-of-state students and industrial workers, uncovering the trafficking network. The operation, led by PSI Akshay Kumari, highlights ongoing efforts to curb drug-related activities in the region, particularly targeting vulnerable groups like students and laborers.

  • Kundapura: Bus-lorry collision leaves several people including students injured, 6 hospitalized

    Kundapur, August 18, 2025 – A major accident occurred today on National Highway 66 near Aarate Mullikatte Bridge, between Kundapur and Trasi in Udupi district, when a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus collided with a truck. The collision injured several passengers, including students, and led to significant traffic disruptions lasting several hours. Local residents and volunteers worked tirelessly alongside authorities to clear the highway.

    The MH Ibrahim Gangolli 24×7 Helpline Apathbandava ambulance team promptly arrived at the scene to provide emergency medical assistance, transferring the injured to nearby hospitals. Personnel from the Highway Police, 112 Police, Gangolli Police Station, and highway staff were also present to manage the situation and assist with rescue efforts.

    The cause of the accident and the full extent of injuries are still under investigation. Authorities are working to gather more details, and updates will follow as the situation develops.

    Note: This is an ongoing incident, and readers are advised to stay tuned for further updates.

  • Udupi: CITU Leads Protest Against Red Stone and Sand Shortage, Demands Action

    Udupi, August 18, 2025: The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) initiated an indefinite protest outside the Udupi District Collector’s office, led by the Udupi District Building and Other Construction Workers’ Coordination Committee, to address the acute shortage of red stones (laterite) and sand, which has severely affected poor households and construction workers. CITU State Vice-President Balakrishna Shetty, inaugurating the protest, stated that the district administration’s policies have made it impossible for the poor to afford building homes with red stones, a cost-effective alternative to pillars. This has also led to unemployment among construction workers, with the looming sand shortage expected to worsen the crisis. He called for a fierce struggle to resolve these issues.

    CITU District General Secretary Suresh Kallagar highlighted that the 147 locations identified by the district administration for red stone quarrying lack quality stones, leading to a supply shortage against high demand. He accused the administration of enabling inflated prices, burdening the poor. Kallagar demanded legal permits for quarrying quality stones, adoption of Kerala’s royalty model (₹76 per ton), and a joint meeting with the District Collector, mining officials, and labor leaders to resolve the crisis.

    Key Demands

    1. Legal Permits for Quarrying: Issue licenses for safe laterite quarrying sites to ensure adequate supply.
    2. Kerala Royalty Model: Reduce royalty to ₹76 per ton and eliminate additional taxes to make red stones affordable.
    3. Annual License Renewal: Shift from six-monthly to yearly license renewals to curb illegal activities.
    4. No Restrictions on Imports: Allow red stones from Dakshina Kannada quarries without restrictions due to limited local availability.
    5. Price Regulation: Take action against those selling red stones at exorbitant rates, ensuring prices align with previous rates.
    6. Joint Meeting: Schedule a meeting chaired by the District Collector with mining officials and labor leaders to address the red stone and sand crisis.

    The protest reflects growing frustration among Udupi’s residents and workers, who rely on red stones for affordable housing. The CITU and coordination committee urged immediate action to alleviate the economic strain and unemployment caused by the shortage.

  • Joida: Farmer Seriously Injured in Bear Attack Near Deria Village in Kali Tiger Reserve

    Joida, August 18, 2025: A distressing incident occurred on Monday morning when a group of three bears attacked a farmer, Shanta Hanumant Dereker, while he was grazing cattle near his farmland in Khumbaye Majire, close to Deria village in the Kumbharwada wildlife range of the Kali Tiger Reserve, Joida taluk, Uttara Kannada district. The attack left Shanta with severe injuries to his face, head, and back, causing widespread panic in the area.

    Shanta was immediately rushed to Joida Government Hospital for primary treatment. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later referred to KIMS Hospital in Hubballi for advanced medical care.

    The Kumbharwada wildlife range, part of the Kali Tiger Reserve, is known for its significant bear population. Recent months have seen a rise in bear attack incidents across Dandeli, Joida, Kumbharwada, Aweda, and Deria areas, fueling fear among local farmers and residents. The community has urged the forest department to implement effective preventive measures to address the growing human-wildlife conflict in the region.

    The image shown above was created by artificial intelligence and is for illustrative purposes only and does not depict actual events or individuals.
  • Nejar: Inspirational Program for Specially-Abled Children at Al Furqan

    Nejar, August 18, 2025 – A heartfelt inspirational program for specially-abled children was recently organized at Al Furaan in Nejar, Udupi district, aimed at fostering awareness and support for their growth and development. The event brought together educators, parents, and community members to highlight the importance of nurturing these children with care and dedication.

    The chief guest, social worker Sabiha Fathima from Mangaluru, addressed the audience, emphasizing, “The care and shaping of the lives of specially-abled children rest significantly on the shoulders of their parents. Their responsibility is paramount in ensuring these children thrive.” Her words underscored the vital role of family support in empowering specially-abled children to lead fulfilling lives.

    The program was graced by the presence of key educators, including Sunanda, headmistress of Salihaat English Medium School, Tonse, and assistant teacher Lavina Clara. The event was presided over by Dildar Fazalu Reheman, the founder and principal of the school, who delivered an introductory address outlining the objectives of the program and the importance of such initiatives.

    The event commenced with a warm welcome by teacher Reshma, followed by a vote of thanks by teacher Asma. Teacher Fariha skillfully compered the program, ensuring its smooth execution. The gathering served as a platform to inspire and motivate parents, educators, and the community to work collaboratively in supporting specially-abled children, reinforcing the need for inclusive education and societal integration.

  • Kadaba: BCom Student Handwrites Entire Quran in Five Years, Sets Remarkable Record

    Kadaba, August 18, 2025: Fathima Sajla Ismail, a BCom student from Markazul Huda Women’s College in Kumbra, Kadaba taluk, has garnered widespread admiration for her extraordinary accomplishment of handwriting the entire Quran using a traditional ink pen. Hailing from Baitadka in Kaniyur village, Sajla, daughter of Ismail and Zahra Jasmine, dedicated nearly five years to this meticulous task, starting in January 2021 and completing it in August 2025.

    The 604-page manuscript, written on white, light blue, and light green paper with black ink, is bound in an elegant red and gold cover and weighs approximately 14 kg. Sajla shared that each page took around four hours to complete, with some days allowing her to write two pages in eight hours. In total, she spent 2,416 hours over 302 days to finish the work, demonstrating remarkable patience and discipline.

    The handwritten Quran was unveiled at a special ceremony at Markazul Huda Women’s College, Kumbra, on August 18, 2025. The manuscript was officially released by Yaseen Sakhafi Al Azhari, a Mudarris from Markaz Knowledge City, Kerala, in the presence of scholars and college officials. The family is considering applying for recognition in the Limca Book of Records and is in discussions with elders and scholars regarding the manuscript’s future preservation.

    Sajla’s achievement is a testament to her dedication and serves as an inspiration, highlighting the value of perseverance and devotion in pursuing meaningful endeavors.

  • Kapu: Knowledge Over Wealth Emphasized at Islamic Education Felicitation Event

    Kapu, August 18, 2025 – The Board of Islamic Education Karnataka Kapu Centre hosted a felicitation ceremony at the K. One Hotel auditorium in Kapu, Udupi district, on August 17, 2025, to honor students for their academic achievements. The event, attended by prominent religious and community leaders, underscored the significance of acquiring knowledge over material wealth.

    Maulana Adil Nadvi, religious scholar from Ayesha Masjid, Najar, spoke as the chief guest, emphasizing that wealth without knowledge renders life meaningless. He urged individuals to pursue knowledge diligently, even if it requires great effort, and to seek both worldly and spiritual wisdom. He highlighted that the Quran, the final divine scripture, begins with a verse advocating the acquisition of knowledge.

    Reshma Bailur, a member of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, also addressed the gathering, stressing the need to study the purpose of human existence, actions in this life, and preparation for the hereafter. She emphasized that knowledge must be internalized and shared with society to be truly meaningful, ensuring its benefits reach others.

    The event was presided over by Anwar Ali, president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Kapu Circle, who highlighted the organization’s mission to build a virtuous society, eradicate evil, promote ethical values among youth, and foster peace, love, and harmony. He encouraged active participation in these efforts.

    The program began with a Quran recitation by Faran Begum. Muhammad Sharif Sheikh welcomed the guests, and Shehenaz, director of the Board of Islamic Education, delivered the introductory speech. Chief guests Zakir Hussain, Asif J.D., and Ashfaq Ahmad Mujawar felicitated students who excelled in the Board of Islamic Education exams, as well as those from the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) and Girls Islamic Organisation (GIO) who scored above 80% in SSLC and PUC exams. Prizes were also awarded to winners of SIO competitions.

    The event was compered by Meharoof, with Syed Mustakeem offering the vote of thanks.

  • Gangolli: Yuva Nidhi Scheme Awareness, Registration Drive

    Gangolli, August 18, 2025: the Karnataka State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority handed over informational banners and posters for the Yuva Nidhi scheme, one of Karnataka’s five guarantee schemes, to the Gangolli Gram Panchayat in Kundapur taluk, Udupi district. The banners have been installed within the Gram Panchayat premises to promote awareness. Permission has been sought to conduct a registration drive for the 2024-25 Yuva Nidhi scheme at the same venue to assist eligible youth.

    Attendees

    The event was attended by Zahir Nakhuda, Kundapur taluk member of the Karnataka State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority, along with Gram Panchayat Secretary Anoop Shet and staff members Sandeep, Karthik, Ranjit, Nafeez, Sunil, Bhagyashree, Chaitra, and others.

    Yuva Nidhi Scheme Details

    The Yuva Nidhi scheme aims to provide financial assistance to unemployed graduates and diploma holders who are Karnataka residents. Those who completed their degree or diploma in the academic years 2022-23 or 2024 and have been unemployed for over six months are eligible. The scheme offers a monthly allowance of ₹3,000 for graduates and ₹1,500 for diploma holders for up to two years, supporting youth in their job search or skill development.

    Registration Drive

    The proposed registration drive in Gangolli will focus on creating awareness about the Yuva Nidhi scheme and facilitating easy enrollment for eligible beneficiaries. The initiative aims to empower local unemployed youth by ensuring they can access the financial benefits provided by the state government.

  • Sirsi: Two Arrested for Illegal Cattle Transport, One Suspect Escapes

    Sirsi, August 17, 2025: The Sirsi City Police arrested two individuals involved in the illegal transportation of cattle without proper documentation near the Nileshwar checkpoint in Sirsi, Uttara Kannada district. The suspects, identified as Basavaraj Fakirappa Gollar (38) and Sujatha Basavaraj Gollar (31) from Hangal, Haveri district, were apprehended during a routine vehicle inspection led by PSI Nagappa B. A third suspect, Pandurang Narayan Naik (54), managed to escape, and police operations are underway to locate him.

    During the inspection, the police discovered five cattle—two cows, two female calves, and one male calf—being transported in a Mahindra Bolero pickup vehicle, allegedly for slaughter. The vehicle, valued at approximately ₹3 lakh, and the cattle, worth around ₹19,500, were seized. The operation was conducted under the leadership of PSI Nagappa, with police personnel including Ramayya Poojari, Hanumant Makapur, Channabasappa Kyarakatti, Sunil, Rajshekhar, Hanumant Kabadi, Jyoti Nayak M., and Sudarshan Naik.

    The police have registered a case, and further investigations are ongoing to apprehend the absconding suspect and determine the full extent of the illegal activity.

  • Sirsi: Missing Schoolgirls from Kasturba Nagar Found Safe in Mumbai

    Sirsi, August 17, 2025 – A distressing case involving two minor schoolgirls from Kasturba Nagar, Sirsi, who went missing on August 16, 2025, has concluded successfully due to prompt police action. The students, one in 8th grade and the other in 6th grade, left their homes around 4:00 PM, stating they were attending an art class. When they failed to return, their parents, after an extensive search, lodged a complaint with the Sirsi Market Police Station.

    Police Operation

    The police treated the case with utmost seriousness, launching an immediate investigation. Analysis of CCTV footage from the Sirsi Central Bus Stand revealed that the girls inquired about a bus to Chitradurga. As the Chitradurga bus was scheduled for 8:00 PM, they boarded a bus to Hubballi instead. From Hubballi, they traveled via Belagavi to Pune and eventually reached Mumbai, where they were spotted by local police. The Sirsi police, divided into two teams, traced the girls’ route through Hubballi and Belagavi, ultimately locating them in Mumbai.

    Investigation Details

    The operation was led by PSI Ratnakuri under the guidance of DYSP Geeta Patil and CPI Shashikant Varma, with police personnel working diligently to ensure the girls’ safe recovery. The exact reasons for the girls’ decision to leave home are still under investigation, with further details expected to emerge.