Mangaluru: As the Islamic holy month of Ramadan began on Thursday, March 23, 2023, the Impire Hotel in the city once again started its 'Free Iftaar’ scheme that it has been running for the last four years.

Located near the State Bank Bus Stand in the city, the restaurant offers free food for people fasting during the month of Ramadan. Those fasting can turn up at the restaurant during the Iftaar hour and can benefit from the free Iftaar facility.

One of the owner-partner of the restaurant K Muhammad Sarfraz, claims he serves the same food at the free Iftaar meal that he himself eats without compromising on the quality of the food items or ingredients.

“Not just during Ramadan, even during the non-Ramadan days, people who cannot afford food can come and eat at our restaurant. We run the business with the motive that people need not have money to eat at our restaurant,” Sarfaraz who is on an Umrah pilgrimage in Makkah along with his other owner-partner of restaurant Muhammad Thanveez told Vartha Bharati.

“I envision a Mangaluru where nobody sleeps hungry. So whenever someone cannot afford food, and comes to us, we serve them and do not ask any questions. They do not even have to inform us before eating that they cannot afford the food, it has happened before,” Sarfaraz added.

During the Iftaar hours, all the tables at the restaurant are arranged with snacks and Iftaar food items including date and juice. People who wish to break their fast at the restaurant come and take seats and wait for Azaan's call to break their fasts.

The restaurant also offers meals for supper (Sehri) but it is only free for those who cannot financially afford the meal and those who can pay, shall pay, Sarfaraz added.

   Owner-Partners Mohammed Sarfaraz (Left), and Mohammed Thanveez

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Bengaluru (PTI): Bengaluru City Police on Friday said 16 people, including two women were arrested allegedly for drug peddling and contraband worth Rs 5.24 crore have been seized.

The arrests were made by the Narcotics Wing of the Central Crime Branch, they said.

A total of 3,000 MDMA ecstasy pills (1.93 kg), 230 grams of MDMA crystal, 48.75 kg ganja, and 306 grams of hydro ganja have been seized, police said, adding that its estimated market value is Rs 5.24 crore.

During the operations, a total of 16 persons, including eight from other states and two women, were taken into custody on different dates, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said during a press conference here.

"During interrogation, the accused, including the two women , confessed that they were procuring banned narcotic substances such as MDMA ecstasy pills, MDMA crystal, ganja, and hydro ganja at lower prices from foreign nationals, persons from other states, and local unidentified suppliers, with the intention of earning easy money, and were selling them to the public, including college students," he said.

Efforts are ongoing to trace the foreign and out-of-state suppliers who were providing narcotic substances to the accused, police said, adding that further investigation is underway.

In a separate special drive, officers and staff of the CCB Narcotics Wing conducted operations in the limits of Bagalur, Whitefield, Parappana Agrahara, and Madanayakanahalli police stations against foreign nationals who were overstaying their visas and allegedly involved in drug peddling, police said.

"Nine foreign nationals were taken into custody. As per the orders of the FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Officer), the nine foreign nationals were sent to the Foreigners Detention Centre. Subsequently, two of them have been deported to their home country," he added.