Mangaluru: Do not Highlight Every Small Incident in City as Breaking News – DC Ibrahim

Mangaluru: Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim held a press meet at his office, requesting mediapersons to not create fear among the people by terming every small incident in the city as breaking news.

The DC’s statement came in light of the recent publications in the online and television media highlighting minor incidents in the district in a very negative matter. Addressing the mediapersons, the DC said that the law and order in the district is now under control. “In the past 24 hours, there have been no untoward incidents. On November 13, in Karaya Belthangady and Ullal, there were minor incidents and the police have arrested the trouble makers. Five people have been injured in various incidents, four in Mangaluru and one in Puttur, and they have been admitted to the hospital. All of them have sustained minor injuries.”

He also said that many minor incidents happen across the district throughout the year. “Small fights keep happening everywhere be it during a cricket match or other activities. We should not exaggerate such incidents and give them communal colour; it should be reported as is. Section 144 has been imposed in the district and so we are not allowing any unlawful assemblies, though we have given permission to some programmes like the Town Hall inauguration, a Yakshagana play, etc. A Muslim organization has planned to hold a meeting on Monday, 16 November but we will not give them permission to hold such meetings till the section is effective. If anyone is organizing programmes without permission, we will take action against them as there is a Law and Order crisis in the district.”

He also said that many students come from other districts and states to study here. “When their parents hear the news of such incidents in the district, they fear for the safety of their children. Such incidents only drive people away from the district and give it a negative image.”

Speaking about the Udyoga Mela, Ibrahim said that the second round of orientation will be held on November 16 in Mangaluru at the DC Office and at Bantwal from 9 am to 5 pm. “Many candidates do not come appropriately dressed or with the necessary documents for the interviews and through this orientation, we will guide them on such topics. They have to be serious when facing an interview. Candidates will have an idea of what they are getting into through the orientation,” he said. Nine thousand candidates have already registered for the mela with an estimate of 7500 confirmed job openings offered by 184 companies who have already registered, 6 of them from overseas. In addition, 50 companies have given oral confirmation. The highest package offered at the mela is by KEF Holdings for the position of IT Manager, with Rs 23 lakh pa. But few candidates have registered for Hospitality, Hotel Management and Chemical Engineering, for which there are many positions on offer.

The DC also said that it is sad that the “Makkala Habba” could not be celebrated due to the disturbances in the district. When asked why permission was not given for the event, the DC replied, “We do not want to put the children at risk. We will try to organise the festival on Saturday and Sunday (21 & 22 November) if possible.”