Mangaluru: PFI activists protest against "Police brutality" in Uppinangady
Mangaluru: Protesting the lathi-charge by police at Uppinangady on Tuesday, the District Committee of Popular Front of India (PFI) organized a protest in Mangaluru on Friday.
Although the City Police Commissioner had denied permission for the ‘Walk to SP’s Office’ or the rally, the PFI activists went ahead with their event and walked from Hampankatte to the Clock Tower, it is learned.
Reportedly, the protesters were stopped by the police near the clock Tower. PFI leaders then appealed for them to be allowed to walk to the SP’s office and also stated that the Uppinangady police had indulged in police brutality and protested through sit-in demonstrations demanding justice concerning the issue.
District SP Rishikesh Sonawane arrived at the protest site and received the petition from the protesters. The SP then addressed the gathering assuring that investigations and appropriate action would be undertaken in the case. The Mangaluru Police Commissioner Shashikumar also arrived at the site and took cognizance of their appeal.
SDPI Leader Shafi Bellare addressed the gathering and said, “This is a people’s movement against the Uppinangady police who displayed their cruelty. If innocents are subjected to oppression, such struggles too will continue. Police themselves make claims that the batons/ lathis of police do not have any religion or creed. However, the several incidents that have occurred in the district indicate that the batons/lathis of the district police have a religion, creed, and political affiliation”, he said.
Questioning the police, he asked, “Why haven’t the police taken any action against the Sangh Parivar’s leaders who insulted the SI by threatening to beat him and disregarded the District Commissioner? Why have you been silent when Trishul/Tridents were being distributed openly?” he emphasized.
Shafi Bellare also demanded that a sitting judge must investigate to determine how many police personnel within the district police force possess a Sanghi mindset.
“The police must withdraw the false cases registered by them. The guilty police personnel must be suspended, and the government must compensate the injured in the hospitals by taking over their medical expense”, the PFI listed their demands before the government.
PFI Leaders A. K. Ashraf, Ijaz Ahmed, Ayyub Agnadi, Corporator Muneeb Bengre, SDPI National Leader Alphonso Franko, and SDPI District President Abubakker Kulai led the protest.
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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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