Mangaluru: Police have arrested a 34-year-old man who had been absconding for nearly nine years in connection with a case registered in 2017.

The accused has been identified as Ashfaq, a resident of Khileria Nagar in Mukkacheri, Ullal.

The case was registered at the Mangaluru North Police Station in 2017. Ashfaq had failed to appear before the court during the trial and had remained absconding.

The case is currently being heard at the 2nd JMFC Court in Mangaluru. The court had issued an LPC warrant for his arrest and production before the court.

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Based on the warrant, Mangaluru North Police traced and arrested Ashfaq on September 8.

The police team then produced him before the court. The court has remanded Ashfaq to judicial custody.

Mangaluru: The Election Commission has withdrawn the notice issued to Padma Shri awardee Harekal Hajabba during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The notice was issued after a mismatch was found in Hajabba’s name during the SIR process. He had been asked to appear before the authorities on September 11 with supporting documents.

The notice gained widespread attention after the matter became public. Following this, election officials withdrew the notice and said they would verify the relevant documents.

Hajabba said officials visited his residence after he received the notice. They collected the notice copy from him and informed him that the matter would be examined.

He said he was not aware of what action the officials would take next. However, he expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved as his name has been recorded as “Harekal Hajabba” in all documents since 2004.

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His name was recorded as “Hajabba” in the 2002 electoral roll. However, his name appears as “Harekal Hajabba” in his ration card, Aadhaar card, passport and voter ID.

Officials said the notice was issued as a routine step because the name did not match during the SIR verification process.

The Election Commission is now expected to examine the relevant records and take a decision based on the documents.

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Traffic Police organised a special awareness programme on school bus safety at Town Hall in Mangaluru.

The programme was held for school bus drivers, owners, managers and members of school management committees.

Around 600 representatives from various schools in Mangaluru city took part in the programme.

The participants were given detailed information on the safe transportation of schoolchildren.

Police officials explained the legal rules that school bus drivers and attendants must follow. They also created awareness about road safety measures and traffic rules.

The responsibilities of drivers and bus staff in ensuring the safety of children were also highlighted. School managements were instructed to strictly follow all safety standards for school vehicles.

They were also asked to properly monitor the duties of drivers and attendants.

The authorities stressed the need to take all necessary precautionary measures to protect schoolchildren.

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Police warned that legal action would be taken against school bus drivers who violate traffic rules.

A pledge on road safety and the importance of following traffic regulations was administered during the programme.

Officials from the police, transport and education departments were present on the occasion.