It is necessary to crush forces working against the nation in the coastal region where instances of the influence of anti-national organisations are being seen, said Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation D.V. Sadananda Gowda.
Speaking at a Balidan Divas function here on Sunday to commemorate those who have laid down their lives during the freedom struggle, Mr. Sadananda Gowda said that Dakshina Kannada district was located between Kasaragod and Bhatkal where there have been reports of influence of terrorist organisations. It was from Kasaragod that some youths reportedly joined the IS terrorist group a few weeks ago. Bhatkal has been infamous for being native to some who have been arrested for alleged terrorist acts.
Mr. Sadananda Gowda said that the Balidan Divas programme was being held to inspire people to rise against groups working against the nation. Such forces from the coastal region should be crushed, he said.
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Tight security was put in place in the city on Sunday as Bharatiya Janata Party national president Amit Shah participated in the event. This was the first time that Mr. Shah was coming to Mangaluru.
Mr. Shah arrived by train from Goa at 4.35 a.m. on Sunday. Around 10.30 a.m. he planted a sapling near the party office in the city. He launched the Tiranga Yatra, which is held as a part of Balidan Divas, from the Bhagwan Mahaveer Circle by riding pillion on a motorcycle with MP Nalin Kumar Kateel. Mr. Shah garlanded the statue of Rani Abbakka, the queen who fought the Portuguese, in Ullal. The Tiranga Yatra programme culminated at the Mangala auditorium on the Mangalore University campus.
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In his welcome address, Mr. Kateel said that the life of Rani Abbakka should be included in the textbooks. Mr. Kateel said that he was fighting for naming the Mangaluru International Airport after Rani Abbakka.
The former Chief Minister and BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa spoke.
BJP National General Secretary Muralidhar Rao attended.