Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 3: In a swift action following the viral video of a woman tourist being harassed by local taxi drivers in Munnar, the Kerala Police, on Monday, have suspended two officials and taken two taxi drivers — identified as Vinayakan and Vijayakumar — into custody.

The case has sparked widespread outrage on social media, prompting the state government to promise corrective steps to ensure tourist safety in the hill station.

The video, originally posted by Janvi, a Mumbai-based assistant professor, showed a group of taxi drivers confronting and intimidating her and her friends for booking an online cab instead of a local taxi near the KSRTC bus stand in Munnar on October 30.

The drivers, reportedly opposed to app-based taxi services, allegedly warned the tourists that they would not be allowed to travel unless they hired local taxis.

Janvi alleged that when she approached the police for help, officers failed to act, echoing the stance of the taxi union.

“We were forced to take another vehicle and eventually cut short our trip out of fear,” she said in the video, which has since been deleted but had already gone viral.

Following the public outcry, the Munnar police registered a suo motu case under Sections 126(2), 351(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to wrongful restraint and criminal intimidation.

The FIR did not initially name any accused, but police have since identified three taxi drivers, two of whom are in custody, with the third expected to be taken into custody soon.

State Tourism Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas called the incident “unfortunate” and said it “should never have happened,” adding that steps will be taken to strengthen police vigilance and prevent the harassment of tourists in the future.

The incident has reignited debate over the monopoly of local taxi unions in tourist destinations and the challenges faced by app-based cab services in Kerala.

Mumbai: The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has resumed its demolition drive against illegal constructions in the Khan Compound area of Mumbra, Maharashtra. Just days after 17 unauthorised buildings were razed, civic officials have now turned their attention to more illegal structures in the nearby Shil Daighar locality.

This renewed action has once again stirred tension in the area, with hundreds of residents gathering to oppose the demolitions.

Fearing unrest, the Thane Police and the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) have been stationed at the site. The presence of uniformed personnel and demolition machinery has created a charged atmosphere in the locality.

The action is being carried out under the directives of the Bombay High Court, which ordered the removal of unauthorised constructions built without proper permissions or safety clearances.

The Bombay High Court had earlier directed the Thane Municipal Corporation to take strict action against illegal structures in and around Mumbra. The civic body had previously demolished several such buildings but had paused operations after widespread protests from local residents.

Despite multiple notices and warnings, the unauthorised structures continued to expand, prompting the latest round of demolitions.

Civic officials indicated that the demolition drive will continue in phases until all unauthorised constructions identified in the High Court order are cleared. The Thane Municipal Corporation has also urged citizens to verify property documents before purchasing any new homes.

While authorities maintain that the action is lawful, the human cost of the demolition has once again highlighted the growing tension between development enforcement and urban housing distress in Mumbra.

Imphal, Nov 3: Ten extremists of two different banned outfits were arrested by security forces from three separate Manipur districts during the past 24 hours, and some arms and ammunition were recovered from them, officials said on Monday.

A police official said that the arrested militants belonging to different extremist groups — the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and United National Liberation Front (UNLF) — were arrested from Kakching, Thoubal and Imphal West district.

Arms and ammunition were recovered from the arrested militants. The arms include one .303 rifle with a magazine, three single-barreled bore rifles, three shotguns, two 9 mm pistols, and the ammunition included three powerful grenades, five detonators.

Many incriminating documents were also recovered from their custody.

The security forces also destroyed illegal poppy plantations cultivated over a total of 30 acres in the Kangchup areas under the Kangpokpi district.

Three farm huts, three fertiliser bags and two sacks of salt found at the sites were destroyed.

Two burnt Gypsy vehicles were also found at the site.

With the fresh arrest of ten militants, the security forces have arrested 18 extremists of different banned outfits in Manipur during the past 48 hours.

An official said that the hardcore militants were involved in various crimes, including intimidation, forcible collection of subscriptions from people, government employees, contractors and others.

The Manipur Police official said that the security forces continue to conduct a crackdown against the militants, and search operations and area domination are being carried out in the fringe, mixed-populated and vulnerable areas across districts.

According to the official, a total of 115 nakas/checkpoints were installed in different districts of Manipur, both in the hills and the valley region, to prevent untoward and illegal movements of inimical elements and suspected vehicles.

He said that the security forces have provided escorts to many vehicles carrying essential items along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37). Strict security measures have been taken in all vulnerable locations, and a security convoy is provided in sensitive stretches to ensure free and safe movement of vehicles.

Manipur Police have urged people not to believe rumours and be vigilant of false videos. “The veracity of any circulation of unfounded videos, audio clips, etc., may be confirmed from the Central Control Room. Moreover, there are possibilities of many fake posts being circulated on social media. It is hereby cautioned that uploading and circulation of such fake posts on social media will attract legal action with consequences,” a police statement said.

The police authority also appealed to the concerned people to return the looted arms, ammunition and explosives to the police or the nearest security forces post immediately.