Mangaluru: Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Law and Order Arunangshu Giri, on Monday appeared before G Jagadeesha, the deputy commissioner of Udupi District who is heading the Magisterial Enquiry into the December 19 anti-CAA protests, violence and police firing in the city.

Arunangshu Giri, recorded his statement in the enquiry at the Assistant Commissioner’s Courtroom at the Mini Vidhan Soudha in the city on Monday. He also submitted a total of 38 documents including a written statement and various records to Jagadeesha regarding the incident.

Arunangshu Giri, maintained the earlier stance of the police department adding that a total of 78 police personnel sustained injuries during the December 19 incident and added that the police were left with no option other than firing at the protesters as they turned violent and tried to attack police with deadly weapons.

Dakshina Kannada Qazi records his statement:

Dakshina Kannada District Qazi Twaqa Ahmed Musliyar appeared before the magisterial inquiry officer and submitted his written statement regarding the incident.

"The protest was organized by SKSSF against the CAA. The protest was withdrawn after police refused permission. We had shared this information with the public, we have nothing to do with the December 19 violence," District Khazi is believed to have given this statement.

Several people have threatened to kill me after the firing incident. There have been many instances of attempting to kill me. I had given a complaint to the police commissioner about this, The Khazi is said to have said this in the statement.

A total of 30 police officers and constables attended the inquiry. A further hearing will be held on March 12 and several others, including the police commissioner, will attend the hearing.

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New Delhi (PTI): Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor had a witty take on Kerala's name change on Tuesday, asking what happens now to the terms "Keralite" and "Keralan" for the "denizens" of the new "Keralam".

In a lighter vein, Tharoor said 'Keralamite' sounds like a microbe and 'Keralamian' like a rare earth mineral.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday approved the proposal for altering the name of Kerala to Keralam.

Ahead of the Cabinet decision announcement, Tharoor said, "All to the good, no doubt, but a small linguistic question for the Anglophones among us: what happens now to the terms 'Keralite' and 'Keralan' for the denizens of the new 'Keralam'?

"'Keralamite' sounds like a microbe and 'Keralamian' like a rare earth mineral ! @CMOKerala might want to launch a competition for new terms resulting from this electoral zeal," he said, sharing the media report on the name change.

The Legislative Assembly of Kerala passed a resolution on June 24, 2024 to alter the name of Kerala to Keralam'.

Thereafter, the government of Kerala requested the government of India to take necessary steps to amend the First Schedule to the Constitution by altering the name of Kerala to Keralam according to Article 3 of the Constitution.

The matter regarding the alteration of the name Kerala to Keralam was considered in the Ministry of Home Affairs, government of India and with the approval of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the draft note for the Cabinet for changing Kerala to Keralam was circulated to the Department of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department, and the Ministry of Law and Justice for their comments.

The Department of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department, and the Ministry of Law and Justice have concurred with the proposal for the alteration of Kerala as Keralam.

After approval of the Union Cabinet, the president of India will refer a Bill, namely the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala for expressing its views under the proviso to Article 3 of the Constitution of India.

After receipt of the views of the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala, the government of India will take further action and the recommendation of the president will be obtained for the introduction of the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 for the alteration of Kerala as Keralam in Parliament.

Meanwhile, on Monday night, Tharoor said he was truly pleased to see C Rajagopalachari honoured by a statue at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"He was its first Indian occupant as the only Indian Governor-General of India, before we became a Republic and he yielded his seat to the new President. I have long admired his convictions and was a strong supporter of his Swatantra Party in my student days," Tharoor said.

"His set of values and principles -- liberal economics and support for free enterprise, combined with social justice; strong anchoring in Indian civilization and religious faith but without a shred of communal bigotry; and a staunch faith in the rights & freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, including keeping the government out of our kitchens, bedrooms and libraries -- remain mine to this day," the Congress MP said.

It is sad that there are so few left to follow him today, Tharoor added on X.