Congress condemns delay in Pumpwell flyover work, stages protest
MP Nalin Kumar’s effigy burnt
Mangaluru: Mangaluru City and Mangaluru South Block Congress Committee staged a protest condemning the delay in flyover work at Pumpwell here on Wednesday.
MLC Ivan D’Souza and former MLA JR Lobo addressed the protesters.
Usually, flyover works complete in one or one-and-a-half year in various parts of the country. But even after eight years since the construction of the Pumpwell flyover work was started, it is not completed yet. The MP of this constituency who represents the Union Government is directly responsible for this inordinate delay. But MP Nalin Kumar is escaping from his responsibility, the protesters accused.
The protesters blocked the road which led to the disruption of vehicular movement for some time. Meanwhile, the protesters set an effigy of MP Nalin Kumar Kateel on fire.
MUDA Chairman Suresh Ballal, former Mayor Mahabala Marla, Youth Congress district president Mithun Rai, Woman Congress district President Shalet Pinto and others participated in the protest.
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Hubballi: Gym trainer assaulted; police say clash due to personal reasons
Hubballi: A gym trainer was allegedly assaulted by a group of people following accusations of sexual assault and ‘love jihad’, even as both families involved in the case traded serious allegations.
According to police, a group of individuals went to the residence of Sameer Mulla, a resident of Vijayanagar, and questioned him over his friendship with a woman he had met at a gym. The situation escalated into a clash, during which he was allegedly dragged away and assaulted. He sustained minor injuries and was admitted to KIMS hospital.
N. Shashikumar said that after this incident, members from Sameer’s side went to the woman’s house, leading to another clash in which one person was injured. “It was wrong for groups to go near houses. We will take necessary legal action,” he said, adding that the incident appears to have arisen from personal reasons. Police have taken some individuals into custody and are investigating the matter.
Sameer Mulla was reportedly thrashed by a group of Sangh Parivar activists and later handed over to police at the Old Hubballi Police Station after relatives of the woman and members of Hindu organisations gathered at his residence in Rajnagar.
The woman’s family alleged assault and threats from Sameer’s relatives at their Vikas Nagar residence.
Meanwhile, Sameer’s family denied the allegations and accused the woman’s relatives and others of assaulting and kidnapping him. His sister said the two had been in a relationship for three years and that the allegations were baseless.
Police said statements from both sides have been recorded, and a detailed investigation is underway. Sameer remains hospitalised, and appropriate legal action will be taken based on findings.
In a video statement shared on social media, the 20-year-old woman alleged that Sameer had given her an intoxicant, recorded videos without her consent, and sexually assaulted her. She lodged a complaint alleging rape and blackmail, which police are investigating.
In another video, Sameer denied the allegations, claiming the video was recorded with consent and that the accusations were made under pressure.
Former Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA) chairman Nagesh Kalburgi termed the incident a serious matter and urged police to take strict action.
Police said the case involves multiple complaints from both sides, and further investigation is underway.
