Belthangady: Police arrested a gang which used to loot innocent people by blackmailing by using women for their operation. The arrest was done by the police team led by assistant superintendent of police (ASP) of Bantwal, Rahul Kumar.

It is said that Basheer and Harris, residents of Loretto Padav from Loretto Padavu in Bantwal taluk had visited Goliangady near Venoor on July 27 and when they were returning in the evening in an auto rickshaw Basheer got a call on his mobile phome from a person named Asif from Goliangady, a distant relative. Asif asked Basheer to drop a girl who ishis relative, was standing at Laila, and requested Basheer to drop her off at Ujire.

Basheer agreed to this and picked up the lady from Laila and was taking her to Ujire in the auto rickshaw. On the way a gang of five persons who came in a Bolero waylaid the auto rickshaw and attacked Harris. Thet then pushed Basheer into the Bolero jeep and took him to a secluded area. The gang made Basheer sit aside the lady and took their pictures.

The gang demanded Rs. 1o lakh from Basheer and said the photos would be posted on Whatapp if the money is not paid.

Another gang which came there in another jeep took away the lady and the two persons for some distance on Kajoor road, and prepared a video involving them. The gang insisted on payment of agreed sum on the same day, and then kept the duo in house arrest in a deserted house in Nainad in Bantwal taluk for sometime.

It is stated in the complaint that the gang had snathed their valuables and even the passport. They released them after warning to make payment of the sum in cash on July 28. Abdul Basheer visited the police station here on Wednesday and filed a complaint against Asif and 12 others.

Under the guidance of superintendent of police, Dr Shjaranappa, ASP, Rahul Kumar and his team has begun investigation. Based on the information given by Basheer the police waited for the accused in Venoor. When the accused came to the spot for collecting money, police surrounded them and took them to the custody.

Surathkal: Three youths have been assaulted and looted by a gang at Tadambail here in the afternoon on Sunday June 28.

The victims are Hyder, Shavid and Arafat, all are residents of Idya in Surathkal.

It is said that, the trio had arrived to Tadambail to make a payment of some concrete ring making. A gang which approached them abused and thrashed them with wooden logs and stones. They later snatched Rs. 15,000 from Shavid which he had brought for making payments.

The reason behind the attack is not clear. However, a case has been filed in Surathkal police station.

Nagpur: Seven youths, including two brothers, drowned in a lake here while they were on a picnic, police said on Monday.

 A group of 10 youths had gone for a picnic near Mangrul lake in Kuhi taluka, about 20 kms from here, yesterday.

 Seven of them got onto a local boat in the lake to take their pictures. As they were clicking selfies while standing on one side of the boat, it tilted and they fell into the water and drowned, Nagpur rural police said.

 Their other three friends raised an alarm following which a huge crowd gathered near the lake. However, the boys could not be traced due to lack of proper lighting in the area, police said.

 After hectic efforts, the bodies were fished out this morning and a postmortem was conducted at Government Medical College Hospital here.

The deceased were identified as Harshal Adamne (18), his brother Chetan Adamne (20), Govardhan Thote (18), Rahul Walode (23), Ram Shivarkar (24), Maqsood Sheikh (27) and Abdul Sayeed (21), all from Ashirwad Nagar in the city, police said.

 A case was registered, police said adding that they were probing the accident.

Mulky: A group assaulted two youths on a trivial issue on Thursday night January 22 near Koddabbu temple at KS Rao Nagar junction.

It is said that the Imran and Razak had parked their bikes infront of the bike belonged to Sachin and Nithin. When Sachin and NIthin asked Imran to clear the way by taking his bike away, Imran and Razak allegedly assaulted the duo. Sachin and Nithin tried ran away but a group of around ten people waylaid them and thrashed them.

The youths later admitted a local hospital. A case has been filed in the police station.

As the news spread in the region people from both the community gathered in the place, police soon rushed to the spot and took control of the situation. Tight security has been deployed in the region to prevent any unwanted incidents. Shops were closed and people were restricted from walking in groups.