Congress stages protest rally in Mangaluru against attack on MLC Ivan D'Souza's residence
Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee organized a protest rally in Mangaluru on Friday, condemning the recent attack on the residence of senior Congress MLC Ivan D'Souza. The rally, which began at D'Souza's house in Valencia and concluded at Kankanady Circle, was in response to the stone-pelting incident on Wednesday night, allegedly carried out by BJP and Sangh Parivar activists.
The attack on D'Souza's house is believed to have been sparked by his strong criticism of Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, following the Governor's decision to grant permission for the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The CM is facing allegations related to illegal site allocations under the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
During the protest, Congress leaders and party members marched from Valencia to Kankanady Circle, chanting slogans against the BJP, whose activists have been accused of involvement in the attack. The rally culminated in a protest meeting on the footpath near Kankanady Circle, where police had set up barricades to prevent further escalation.
MLC Ivan D'Souza, along with District Congress President Harish Kumar, KPCC Spokesperson MG Hegde, former MLA JR Lobo, and other Congress leaders including PV Mohan and Deviprasad Shetty, addressed the gathering. They condemned the attack and called for justice.
In light of the protest, police security was increased along the rally route. Hundreds of police personnel were deployed to maintain order and ensure the safety of participants, with barricades placed at Kankanady Circle as a precautionary measure.
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8 children between ages of 1 and 14 dead after mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.
The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.
The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.
Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.
Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.
