Mangaluru Police withdraw case over Namaz on road near Kankanady Masjid
Mangaluru: The Mangaluru city police have withdrawn the suo-moto case filed in connection with a viral video showing individuals offering Namaz on a road near Kankanady Masjid on May 24. The Kadri police initially lodged the case after the video circulated on social media, leading to widespread outrage within the coastal Muslim community.
The video, reportedly filmed from a road near the masjid in Kankanady, sparked significant reaction, with community members calling for the withdrawal of the case. Representatives from the Muslim community met with the Commissioner of Police to request the case be dropped.
On Thursday, it was reported that the police had indeed withdrawn the voluntarily registered case, although official confirmation from the Police Commissioner has not yet been issued.
In a related development, a case under Section 107 of the IPC has been registered against Bajrang Dal leader Sharan Pumpwell for allegedly disturbing societal peace. Pumpwell had reportedly shared the video on his social media handles, exacerbating tensions.
Additionally, the Inspector of Kadri Police Station, who initially registered the suo-moto case, has reportedly been placed on leave.
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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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