Man arrested in Mangaluru for sharing objectionable message
Mangaluru: Police have arrested a 70-year-old man for allegedly sharing a WhatsApp message that could incite attacks against innocent people in Mangaluru, officials said.
The arrested person has been identified as Dharmapala Shetty (70). According to Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH, the accused shared the message in a WhatsApp group titled “Hindu Geleyara Balaga”, Deccan Herald reported on Friday.
The message allegedly read, “Wake up, Hindus, before Mangaluru turns into a mini Bangladesh…”. Through the message, he allegedly attempted to spread hatred against shopkeepers in a particular area of the city.
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The Commissioner said that the police had already witnessed an attack on a migrant worker, who was later found to be an Indian national, in Mangaluru, and action had already been taken in that case.
“Based on the message, the police verified the background of the family concerned and found that they had purchased property in 2014 in their name. There is nothing to indicate that they are not Indian citizens,” he said.
He added that anyone with information about persons suspected to be from Bangladesh could share it with police stations, Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) or the Commissioner’s office.
“After proper verification of antecedents, such persons will be prosecuted and deported as per law,” he said.
He further warned that if anyone shares details branding an Indian citizen as a Bangladeshi based merely on suspicion, or circulates messages that could lead to attacks on people, strict action will be taken as per law. FIRs have already been registered against two persons for posting such messages.
He reiterated that any person staying illegally would be prosecuted and deported strictly in accordance with the law.
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Bengal: Hundreds stage protest over 'threats' by TMC workers
Kolkata (PTI): Demanding safety after counting of votes, hundreds of villagers staged a protest in Falta in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district on Saturday, alleging they were receiving life threats from TMC workers in the area.
The protesters, many of them women and holding BJP flags, blocked the road in Hasimnagar village, alleging that local panchayat pradhan Israfil, a close associate of TMC candidate Jehangir Khan, issued them threats of attacks after poll results are announced.
The CRPF deputy commandant visited the area with a large force and assured the demonstrators of ensuring their safety.
Khan dismissed the allegations and said the women were "deployed" by the BJP to stage the demonstration and engineer the arrest of TMC functionaries in the area before the counting to "harm the morale of the TMC supporters".
"If the charges are proved, I am ready to face the law," he said.
Fatima Bibi, one of the protesters belonging to the BJP's Mahila Morcha, claimed Israfil and his men "have been visiting the area since April 30 and threatening us that there would be bloodshed from May 5. We demand CRPF remain in the area".
The CRPF official said, "We are here to instill confidence among the people with support of the local police, We have assured them of full security."
An Election Commission official said a report has been sought about the protests from the district administration.
