Jubail factory fire leaves families of Mangaluru victims shell-shocked

April 17, 2016

Mangaluru, Apr 17: The families of the expatriate workers from Mangaluru region who lost their lives in a fire mishap at a petrochemical company in Saudi Arabia on Saturday were too shocked to react when the tragic news reached them.

fire3 At least 12 people including Indian expats were killed and 11 others sustained injuries after fire broke out in Jubail United Petrochemical Company plant on Saturday during routine maintenance. Among the victims four or five are said to be Mangalureans.

Groom-to-be

Little did the family members of Vincent Monteiro, who are receding at Adyarpadavu, here, know that he would be charred to death on the day when was supposed to visit his hometown.

Sources closed to the aggrieved family said that Vincent's elders had requested him to postpone the vacation for a month as they were in search of a suitable bride for him. Their plan was to arrange Vincent's wedding during the vacation.

Being the fifth among six children of Late Lawrence Monteiro and Cristina Monteiro couple, 36-year-old Vincent was away from home for past 14 years as he was working in Mumbai, Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

No Eid-ul-Fitr

Another victim Mohammed Ashraf had planned to visit his home in Haleyangady during Eid-ul-Fitr which is nearly three months away.

The second among five children of late Abdul Khader and Zainabi couple, 30-year-old Ahsraf had been working as a pipe technician in Jubail for past three years.

His elder brother Mohammed Shareef was working in Saudi Arabia for the last eight years and Ashraf joined him three years ago. Even though both of them work for the same company, the elder one was in his room when the tragedy took place as he works the night shift.

In fact, Ashraf's service was regularised 11 months ago and he had visited his native in May 2015.

After hearing shocking news, his mother has fallen sick. A pall of gloom has descended on the house with neighbours visiting the family members and consoling them.

No confirmation yet

On the other hand, in Vamanjoor, the wife Balakrishina Poojary does not even know whether he is alive or dead. “Last night I received a message saying my husband is injured in fire mishap. I couldn't contact him after that,” said Lavanya. However, her neighbours said that they received information that Balakrishna breathed his last in the hospital. He was working in Saudi Arabia for the last two years.

Also Read:

Mangaluru expats among 12 killed in Jubail factory fire; many critical

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Aditya Rao terror case: Crime scene recreated at Mangaluru Airport

News Network

January 24,2020

Mangaluru, Jan 24: Aditya Rao, who was arrested for planting Improvised explosive device (IED) at Mangaluru airport on January 20, was brought to the airport on Friday for recreation of the crime scene as part of the investigation process.

Yesterday, one more case was registered against Rao in connection with a hoax call to the terminal manager of the airport on January 20, police said.

"One more case has been registered against Aditya Rao at Bajpe Police station for a hoax call to the terminal manager of Mangaluru International Airport on January 20," said PS Harsha, Mangalore Commissioner of Police on Thursday.

Earlier, Harsha informed that Rao, who surrendered before the Bengaluru Police, is now in the custody of Mangaluru Police.

"Our investigation team arrested Aditya Rao in Bengaluru in connection with the planting of an explosive device at Mangaluru airport. We produced the accused before Bengaluru's first JMFC court and the court issued a transit warrant," Harsha said.

"We have brought him to Mangaluru from Bengaluru and now the accused is in our custody. Our investigation team will interrogate him. We will investigate all aspects. He will be produced before Mangaluru 6th JMFC Court," he added.

Rao hails from Udupi and has engineering and MBA degrees.

According to the police, the IED was recovered from a bag at the Mangaluru airport. It was later defused in an open field by the personnel of the bomb disposal squad.

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Meet Shoukat Ali, a farmer who donated land for Rani Chennamma memorial

coastaldigest.com web desk

June 18,2020

Vijayapura, June 18: Shoukat Ali Sumbad, a local farmer, has donated land for the construction of Chennamma memorial, modelled on the Kittur fort, at Sindagi town in Vijayapura to celebrate the town's connect with the valorous Lingayat queen who fought the British in 1824.

Basava Jaya Mrutyunjaya Swamiji of Lingayat Panchamasali Peetha Kudala Sangam said Shoukat Ali came forward to donate his land adjacent to the state highway when local authorities failed to provide land for the memorial.

"The committee led by Basava Jaya Mrutyunjaya Swamiji sought a 15x10 plot but when I went through their plan of constructing a model of Kittur fort, I decided to donate 425 sq ft," said the 61-year-old farmer.

"Rani Chennamma is the pride of every Indian, irrespective of caste and creed, and my contribution is nothing compared to her sacrifice for the nation," he added.

Shoukat Ali, who lives in the neighbouring town of Almel, said he is a man of modest means but proud to make the contribution. "I own nine acres of land in Almel. I have six sons and two daughters. Two of my sons run small businesses in Mumbai. Ten of us live in a small house in Almel," he said.

“I also work as a broker to sell or buy sites. I had bought 15 guntas of land in Sindagi for my children some 15 years ago. When our MLA MC Managuli and Swamiji sought land for the memorial, my entire family agreed wholeheartedly” Shoukat Ali said.

“As Chennamma’s history is linked to Sindagi, there has been a demand for a memorial here since 2008, but the town municipal council failed to provide land due to political and technical reasons,” said Swamiji.

“There were plans to observe a Sindagi bandh in the first week of June to protest the indifference of authorities. But then Sumbad gave us his land. We have formed a committee to construct a model of Kittur fort and a bronze statue of Chennamma at a cost of Rs 28 lakh,” he added.

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