Mangaluru/Karwar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recorded a series of electoral victories across coastal Karnataka and Uttara Kannada districts on Wednesday, securing clear majorities in the Kinnigoli, Bajpe, and Manki Town Panchayat elections.

In Mulki taluk, the BJP won the Kinnigoli Town Panchayat by securing 10 of the 18 wards, while the Congress won the remaining eight. This was the first election to the Kinnigoli Town Panchayat since it was upgraded four years ago. Polling was held on December 21, and the BJP crossed the majority mark in its maiden electoral contest.

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Following the declaration of results, BJP workers celebrated across Kinnigoli. MLA Umanath Kotian, BJP district vice-president Sunil Alva, Mulki Town Panchayat president Satish Anchan, Mandal president Dinesh Putran, and other party leaders took part in the victory celebrations.

In Mangaluru taluk, the BJP secured a clear majority in the first-ever elections to the Bajpe Town Panchayat. Of the 19 wards, the BJP won 11 seats, while the Congress secured four seats, the SDPI won three seats, and one independent candidate was elected. Vote counting was conducted at the Mangaluru Mini Vidhana Soudha.

In Uttara Kannada district, BJP-backed candidates won a decisive majority in the inaugural elections to the Manki Town Panchayat in Honnavar taluk. Of the 20 wards, two Congress-backed candidates had already been elected unopposed. In the remaining 18 wards where polling took place on December 21, BJP-supported candidates won 12 seats, while Congress-backed candidates won six, taking the Congress tally to eight seats in total.

The Manki results have drawn political attention as the town falls within the home region of district in-charge minister Mankal Vaidya. Despite the minister’s influence, BJP-backed candidates secured a comfortable majority. Party workers celebrated the victories by bursting crackers and distributing sweets, with local leaders stating that the outcome would strengthen the party’s position in the region.

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Chikkaballapur (PTI): A gang of unidentified men struck a jewellery store here and decamped with around 140 kg of silver ornaments valued at nearly Rs three crore, police said on Wednesday.

According to the police, the burglars broke open the shop’s shutter and door locks on Monday night and carried out the theft without leaving behind any immediate clues.

The burglary came to light on Tuesday morning when shop staff arrived to open the showroom and found the locks broken, following which the police were informed.

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Officials visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

“Special teams were formed to trace the accused, and efforts were intensified after it was found that the thieves had also stolen the CCTV DVR from the premises,” a police officer said.

The burglars entered the shop at 12.10 am and spent over three hours. Initially, they attempted to break open the lock using an iron rod, but later cut it using a cutter to gain entry.

The accused reportedly filled three bags with silver ornaments and fled the scene at around 3.10 am. The entire incident was captured on CCTV footage.

The police have detained three suspects in connection with the case.

Further investigation is underway to ascertain whether they were involved in similar crimes elsewhere, police added.