Kumta: In a shocking incident of violent rivalry, 27-year-old Rajesh Ramesh Ambiga from Hegade Chittikambi village has been arrested by Kumta Police for assaulting Santhosh Panduranga Ambiga, also 27, at Manki Maidan.

The attack occurred following a dispute over a romantic relationship. According to the police, a young woman, who was initially in a relationship with Rajesh, ended the relationship due to dissatisfaction with his behavior. She later began a relationship with her cousin Santhosh and decided to marry him. Enraged by this development, Rajesh lured Santhosh to meet him near the library at Manki Maidan.

Upon meeting, Rajesh threw chilli powder in Santhosh's face and, as Santhosh attempted to flee, Rajesh stabbed him in the neck with a knife. The injured Santhosh was rushed to the government hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.

Following a complaint, the Kumta Police registered a case and conducted an investigation, leading to Rajesh's arrest.

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Shimla (PTI): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday slammed the Centre over the alleged NEET paper leak and said that such incidents are surfacing in regions governed by the BJP's 'double-engine' and 'triple-engine' governments.

He said the leak and cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance test (NEET) 2026 examination is a major failure on the part of the Union government.

"This is not the first time that a paper leak has happened. Such incidents have surfaced in 2017, 2021, 2024, and now even in 2026 and every time, a CBI inquiry is initiated, arrests are made, yet after a short while, the accused are released on bail," he said.

Mann, who arrived at the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium to boost the morale of the Punjab Kings team ahead of their upcoming IPL match, told the media that lakhs of students toil day and night, harbouring dreams of transforming their families' fortunes, but when exams are cancelled due to paper leaks, these students are left heartbroken.

The NEET 2026 paper held on May 3 was cancelled on May 12 after reports of a paper leak in Rajasthan.

He said that the paper leak mafia is predominantly surfacing in regions governed by the BJP's 'double-engine' and 'triple-engine' governments. "Paper leaked, dreams shattered, the country's administrative system is unable to conduct even a single examination properly", he added.

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mann said that while Modi imposes various restrictions on the public, he himself continues to embark on foreign tours.

He asserted that the public deserves to know the country's true economic situation.

"The prime minister must disclose the current status of the country's oil reserves, the extent of our gold reserves, and fundamentally why restrictions are being imposed on every single commodity", he said.

No other nation has imposed such restrictions and the ongoing war is being used as a pretext, even though the country's economy is already in a precarious state, Mann added.

Regarding the ongoing campaign against drugs in Punjab, Mann said that the state government is continuously taking action against drug traffickers and asserted that a large number of traffickers are being sent to jail and that Punjab will soon move towards becoming drug-free.

Speaking about the upcoming IPL match between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians to be held in Dharamshala, Mann said that he also holds the portfolio of Punjab's sports minister and has arrived in Dharamshala to cheer the team.