Mangaluru: Four arrested for harassing interfaith couple at Panambur beach

Mangaluru: Panambur police arrested four people from a Hindu organization allegedly in a suspicious moral policing case at Panambur beach on February 4.

Police Commissioner Anupam Aggarwal said the arrested persons include Prashant Bhandari (38) of Pilathabettu, Umesh P (23) of Karaya in Belthangady, Sudhir (26) of Puthila and Keertan Pujari (20) of Machina in Belthangady.

A 28-year-old woman said in the complaint that she worked in Bengaluru and was going to Malpe for some work. On the way, she met her friend who had recently won a literary award at Panambur beach to wish her success. When the two were at the beach, some youths stopped them and allegedly scolded them for being together. Some people also recorded a video of the incident. Police immediately reached the spot and controlled the situation by taking the youth into custody.

The woman urged the police to ensure that her privacy is not affected and demanded legal action against the suspects. Police have registered a case under sections 143, 341, 504 and 149 of the IPC.

The commissioner said additional police personnel have been deployed at Panambur beach, Tannirbaavi beach and tree park area to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.