Mangaluru: Case filed over unlawful protest, traffic disruption on NH 73 during anti-Waqf Act stir

Mangaluru: Kankanady Town police have registered a case against unlawful protest and obstruction to vehicular movement on NH 73, during the proposed protest against Waqf Amendment Act at Shah Garden Maidan on April 18.

Commissioner of Police Anupam Agrawal said following the video analysis, the police have booked a case against Jaleel, a resident of Krishnapura, Fazal, a resident of Valachil and Mohammed Hanif Noufal.

A huge protest was organised at Shah Garden, Adyar, Kannur, Mangaluru, under the leadership of the Ulema Coordination Committee Karnataka, opposing the Central Government’s proposed Waqf Amendment Act–2025. Adequate police bandobast arrangements were made with officers and personnel drawn from across the state to maintain law and order and ensure smooth traffic movement on National Highway 73. The organisers too had deployed a huge number of volunteers to ensure smooth coordination and were assisting the police personnel.

However, at around 4:30 pm, a group of protesters intentionally gathered on the side and middle of National Highway 73, blocking the free movement of vehicles. The police repeatedly tried to appeal to protestors to disperse and allow free movement of traffic. Despite repeated instructions, some protestors engaged in actions that disrupted traffic, obstructed emergency services, and interfered with public servants in the discharge of their official duties, said the commissioner.

Based on a complaint of a police person deployed on duty, a criminal case has been registered at Kankanady Town Police Station under sections 189(2), 126(2), 270, 324(4), 132, 285, 190 BNS. Efforts are underway to identify other accused persons based on detailed analysis of video footage.
The investigation is in progress, and strict legal action will be taken against all those involved in obstructing the national highway, added commissioner.