Fire breaks out in Manipalla hill; burns trees, plants and bushes
Fire covers 15 acres of forest, villagers are fighting to douse it
Mangaluru, Jan 17: Fire broke out in Manipalla hills in Kuppepadavu gram panchayat limits near Bajpe on Thursday and it has spread to more than 15 acres of forest area. The villagers have been fighting it out to douse the fire.
“After 5 pm, heavy smoke emanated from the hill and later, it has converted into fire. Acacia, Menjamu and other species of shrubs and trees were gutted in the fire. Apart from the trees and plants, animals like snakes, rabbits, birds and other wild animals also died in the forest fire”, social worker Sulaiman told Varthabharati.
Villagers succeeded in dousing the fire on either side of the road near the hill. But they could not do anything to extinguish the fire atop the hill. However, the fire brigade has been trying to douse the fire.
Though the fire extinguishing work was taken up on war-footing, it has been spreading to other places. Manipalla village has 40-45 houses and a petrol station was also near to the hill, he said.
More than 150 youth of the village have been trying to douse the fire by bringing water. So far, no elected representatives visited the spot and take measures to douse the fire, he said.
“Manipalla hill has been getting fire for the last few years. But nobody knows who is behind this incident. Concerned authorities were already informed about it. Rescue operation is going on and villagers are asked to take care about the fire”
-DP Hammabba, Kuppepadavu Gram Panchayat Vice President
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Christmas decorations vandalised by VHP activists at school in Nalbari; Tension in area
Nalbari: Tension prevailed in the Panigaon area of Nalbari district on December 24 after members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal allegedly entered the premises of St Mary’s School and vandalised materials prepared for Christmas celebrations.
According to local sources, activists of the VHP and Bajrang Dal entered the school campus ahead of Christmas and raised slogans inside the premises. It is alleged that Christmas-related decorations and materials kept within the school compound were damaged and set on fire.
Eyewitnesses said that members of the Bajrang Dal were the first to enter the campus, during which they allegedly raised slogans such as “Jai Shri Ram,” “Jai Hindu Rashtra,” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” and burnt items prepared for Christmas celebrations. The incident created panic among local residents and led to concerns over law and order in the area. No injuries have been reported so far.
The incident comes amid reports of similar acts in Nalbari town in recent days, where Christmas decorations displayed at several commercial establishments were allegedly set on fire.
Reacting to the incident, fact-checker Mohammed Zubair said on social media that VHP and Bajrang Dal activists entered St Mary’s School on Christmas Eve, raised slogans and destroyed Christmas decorations. His post drew attention to the incident and sparked wider discussion online.
Police have not yet issued an official statement on the incident. Further details are awaited.
On Christmas Eve, Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal goons entered St. Mary’s School in Panigaon, Nalbari, chanting slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Hindu Rashtra.” They destroyed and set fire to all Christmas decorations prepared at the school. pic.twitter.com/LQHV7FWUvz
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) December 24, 2025
