Udupi: An auto-rickshaw driver was reportedly attacked with a sword in a murder attempt near Shedigudde late at night on May 1. The incident occurred around 11:15 PM, and police have arrested two accused in connection with the case.

The arrested have been identified as Sandesh (31), a resident of Bommarabettu in Hiriyadka, and Sushanth (32), a resident of Bapuji Darga.

The victim, identified as Aboobacker (50) from Atradi, was driving his auto-rickshaw towards Madaga on hire. While he was passing near the Atradi Gas Petrol Bunk, two men on a bike began following him. They allegedly threatened Aboobacker and tried to force him to stop the rickshaw. Refusing to stop, he continued driving.

One of the bike riders was seen holding a sword. Realizing the danger, Aboobacker attempted to flee after stopping his auto near the residence of a Rose Bus employee in Shedigudde. The attackers targeted his head with the sword, but he managed to escape unhurt.

In a further act of vandalism, the accused reportedly smashed the front glass of the auto with a bottle. Aboobacker managed to flee by jumping over a nearby compound wall. A case has been registered at the Hiriyadka Police Station.

Acting immediately, the police arrested both accused and booked them under attempt to murder.

Retaliation for Suhas Shetty murder: SP statement

Udupi District Superintendent of Police Dr. K. Arun stated that the arrested individuals confessed during interrogation that the attack was carried out in retaliation for the murder of Suhas Shetty, which occurred recently in the jurisdiction of Bajpe Police Station in Dakshina Kannada district.

The investigation is ongoing, and the arrested individuals will be presented before a court.

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Belagavi (PTI): Accepting that the female foeticide has not stopped in the state, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday said that the government is taking strict measures to prevent it.

The minister said the government is appointing separate nodal officers in all districts and tightening measures to prevent foeticide, which he called a "social evil".

He also assured that the government will consider strengthening legislation to control such activities.

The minister was responding to a question by BJP MLC C T Ravi in the Legislative Council.

"Female foeticides have certainly not stopped. If you look at the sex ratio, there is a lot of difference. I accept that this is happening," Rao said.

"Foeticides are not happening under pressure; voluntarily, it is happening, for not wanting a girl child. These things are happening based on the sex determination of the foetus at some hospitals. Sex determination is illegal, but with the advancement in technology, portable ultrasound machines have been developed, which can be easily carried anywhere, and scans and tests can be done. This needs to be controlled. We will bring it to the notice of the central government," he said.

In some districts and in a few hospitals, a higher number of male child births is happening. It is found with the help of intelligence input, the minister said.

"Information is being gathered on the taluk in which the male-female ratio is worsening, what is happening in which hospital, and appropriate action is being taken to crack down on such a network, after proper evaluation."

Decoy operations have been done at seven places in the last two years, to identify those involved in illegal activities linked to female foeticides, and actions have been taken against officials and hospitals involved, he said, adding that more needs to be done on priority.

Responding to a question by Ravi about whether any stringent legislation is being brought, Rao said, the government will consider strengthening the legislation and making it stricter to control this.

"Some amendments have been made to the existing laws in the last two years....advanced technology and the internet is being used to carry out such things, also oral medicines for abortions are available over the counter.

We need to look into bringing legislation to control them. The Food and Drug Administration has issued instructions to pharmacists that the sale of such drugs should be documented."

The minister also said that measures are also being taken for the effective implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC & PNDT) Act, and awareness is being created against the identification of female foetuses and female foeticide.