Mangaluru: The Sangh Parivar activists literally resorted to Goondaism  at the Manasa Water Park at Pilikula Nisargadhama on the outskirts of the city on January 2, Tuesday by   intercepting students  of a college who were enjoying a picnic and even  assaulted one of the girls right in the presence of the police.

Though video clipping of the same went viral in the social media, the Kavoor police who had reportedly remained apathetic  in the beginning  registered a case only after an advocate intervened. Later the cops arrested Sampath Shetty, Varada and Dinesh of Moodushedde in connection with the incident.

The incident : Two  boys, both II PUC students of a college at Aikala Thalippady near Kinnigoli along with two female students  had hired a car on Tuesday and had arrived at Pilikula Nisargadhama. The  Parivar activists who gathered information that the students were making merry at the Manasa Water Park,  barged  into the place and  attempted to assault the students. The Kavoor Police who arrived at the spot made arrangements to take the students out of the Park.

Assaulted : As the students were being escorted outside,   Sampath Shetty, a prominent local activist of Hindu Jagarana Vedike   hit one of the girls on her neck right in the presence of the police who however at that moment made no attempt to take him to custody. Someone who recorded the   incident had  circulated it in the social media. It was only after it went viral and caused uproar that the cops  registered a case.

Victim's mother files complaint : As per the complaint lodged by Melcy Serrao, the mother of  the  assault victim, police have arrested  HJV activists Sampath  Shetty, Varad and Dinesh  and have registered  cases against them under Section 341, 342, 324, 506, 509, 355, 153(a) and 74(1) of the IPC. Police said the prime accused Sampath Shetty already has  a few cases against him in Kavoor Police Station.

Action on basis of video clipping : DCP Hanumantharaya told "Vartha Bharathi" that  action would be taken against the perpetrators of the incident based on the video footage. 

Widespread anguish : The goondaism and vigilante attack by the Parivar activists has  led to widespread anguish with many  venting out their ire against the district administration as well as the Police Department  for their failure to rein in the  unscrupulous elements. 

"This is a joint operation"  

"This is a joint operation of the Sangh Parivar and the Police Department. The Police Department in the district  has completely bowed before the Sangh Parivar. The viral video of Tuesday is testimony to this.  Instead of  taking into custody those  who  tried to come in the way of the students who were at Pilikula, it is condemnable on the part of the police for allowing  assault on the student right in their presence. Such an incident would not have taken place had the Sangh Parivar activists had any fear of the Police Department or law. A similar incident took place at Subrahmanya recently.  Everyone is well aware as to why such incident  taken place during election time. Such incidents would not have recurred if the district administration and Police  Department acted tough.  The authorities must take this incident seriously.  There should also be an investigation into the Police failure during the incident."

 Vidya Dinker, social activist 

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"Those resorting to goondaism must be reined in"

"The Police Department has completely bowed before the Sangh Parivar in the district.  Their taking this incident lightly despite assault on the girls right in their presence is proof to this. The  government, elected representatives and the social organisations must extend their moral support to the Police Department  to ensure that action follows against those resorting to goondaism. The incident is condemnable."

Dinesh Hegde Uleppady, advocate and social activist

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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.

The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.

The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.

Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.

“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.

“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.

Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.

“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.

“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.

Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.

Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.

“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.

“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”

Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.

In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.

“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.

“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.