Three booked for blocking NH 75 during protest against Waqf Amendment Act in Mangaluru
Mangaluru (Karnataka), Apr 19 (PTI): Three persons who were part of a protest against Waqf Amendment Act organised on Saturday were booked for allegedly disrupting traffic and obstructing emergency services along NH 75 near Adyar here, police said.
The protest organised by Ulema Coordination Committee Karnataka was held at Shah Garden.
According to the Mangaluru City Police, while the event began peacefully under tight security arrangements, a section of protesters later moved towards the national highway and blocked traffic around 4.30 pm.
"Despite repeated instructions to maintain order and avoid disruption, some individuals entered the highway, obstructing the free movement of vehicles, including emergency services," police officials stated.
Efforts were made to disperse the crowd, but some protesters ignored the warnings and engaged in unlawful activities, police alleged.
Based on visual evidence and initial analysis of video footage, three individuals have been identified as the key accused—Jaleel, a resident of Krishnapura; Fazal from Valachil; and Mohammed Hanif Noufal, a senior police officer, said.
A case has been registered at the Kankanady Town Police Station under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions related to obstruction of public servants, unlawful assembly, endangering public safety, and interference with government functioning, the officer said.
Police said more individuals are likely to be identified once a detailed examination of video recordings from the scene is completed.
"The investigation is ongoing, and strict legal action will be taken against all those found involved," the Mangaluru City Police said in a statement.
The protest had drawn participants from across coastal Karnataka and was closely monitored by law enforcement agencies to prevent any breach of peace or disruption to daily life.
Volunteers deployed by the organisers were initially seen assisting the police in crowd management before the situation took a turn.
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RCB secure IPL playoff berth with 23-run win against Punjab Kings
Dharamsala (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru rode on fluent half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer, along with a decisive opening spell from pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, to thrash Punjab Kings by 23 runs and seal a playoff berth in the IPL here on Sunday.
Kohli (58 off 37 balls), Iyer (73 not out off 40 balls) and Devdutt Padikkal (45) produced impactful knocks as RCB piled up 222 for 4 in 20 overs.
Bhuvneshwar (2/38) then removed the dangerous Punjab Kings opening pair of Priyansh Arya (0) and Prabhsimran Singh (2) early to all but shut the door on the opposition, who eventually managed 199 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Pacer Rasikh Salam (3/36) compounded Punjab Kings' misery by dismissing skipper Shreyas Iyer (1) in the fourth over as the hosts slumped to 19 for 3.
Late-order batters Shashank Singh (56 off 27 balls) and Marcus Stoinis (37 off 25 balls) attempted to revive the innings with a counter-attacking effort, but the towering RCB total ultimately proved far beyond PBKS' reach.
Earlier, Kohli stitched together a 76-run stand with Devdutt for the second wicket to lay the foundation before adding another 60 runs with Venkatesh for the third wicket as table-toppers RCB delivered yet another authoritative batting display.
Brief Scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 222 for 4 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 58, Devdutt Padikkal 45, Venkatesh Iyer 73 not out; Harpreet Brar 2/35).
Punjab Kings: 199 for 8 in 20 overs (Cooper Connolly 37, Suryansh Shedge 35, Marcus Stoinis 37, Shashank Singh 56; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/38, Rasikh Salam 3/36).
