Mangaluru: A young couple who attempted suicide by consuming poison near the Pumpwell area in Mangaluru a few days ago have passed away in a hospital in Deralkatte after their treatment was unsuccessful, according to the Kankanady city police.

The deceased have been identified as Safrina (22) from Jappu Bappal and Nihal (19) from Bantwal. The couple consumed rat poison on May 7 and were subsequently admitted to a private hospital in Deralkatte. Unfortunately, their condition did not improve, and they passed away.

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Nihal was working as a welder while Safrina was a homemaker, and the couple was reportedly in love. The motive behind their suicide attempt is not known at this time, and a case has been registered at the Kankanady Nagar police station.

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Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu) (PTI): Nearly 4,000 Indian pilgrims on Friday set sail for the uninhabited Katchatheevu islet to participate in the annual two-day festival, which will officially commence at 4 pm at the St Antony’s Church, officials said.

The festival marks a significant moment of shared cultural and religious heritage between India and Sri Lanka.

The first batch of devotees was flagged off from the Rameswaram fishing harbour at approximately 6 am by Ramanathapuram District Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon.

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According to official records, a total of 3,996 registered pilgrims -- comprising 3,033 men, 726 women, and 150 children -- are crossing the Palk Strait in a fleet of 118 boats, which includes 92 mechanised trawlers and 26 country boats.

The festival will officially commence with a traditional flag-hoisting ceremony. This will be followed by the 'Way of the Cross' procession and a late-night chariot festival, where the statue of the patron saint will be carried around the shrine by Sri Lankan Navy personnel, sources said.

Strict security measures are in place, with the Indian Coast Guard and Customs department conducting a three-tier verification process at the Rameswaram jetty. All pilgrims were required to produce their Aadhaar cards and a mandatory Police No Objection Certificate (NOC).

Authorities have strictly prohibited the carriage of plastic items, alcohol, and excessive jewellery.

According to official sources, all vessels are equipped with adequate life jackets and are being escorted by Coast Guard hovercrafts up to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

The festivities will reach their peak on Saturday morning with a Special High Mass conducted by the Bishops of Jaffna and Colombo in both Tamil and Sinhala. The event will conclude with the lowering of the flag, after which the Indian pilgrims will begin their return journey.

To facilitate the event, the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department has enforced a total fishing ban in the region until March 1, leaving over 1,000 local boats moored at the docks to ensure clear passage for the pilgrim fleet.

The islet was ceded to Sri Lanka by India by ways of two agreements in 1970s.