Mangaluru: Following a viral social media threat that triggered widespread concern, the Mangaluru police have arrested a 35-year-old man for allegedly posting a message about carrying out a bomb blast near a mosque in Ullal.

The arrested accused has been identified as Shankar Mastappa Moger, a resident of Devinagar in Bhatkal. He was apprehended on Tuesday, March 3, and later produced before a local court.

Threat comment sparks alarm

According to the police, the accused, using the Instagram handle ‘shankar11916’ on Instagram, allegedly commented on a post stating, “Support maadi bro ullal masjid hatra bomb blast madthini” (Support me bro, I will carry out a bomb blast near Ullal mosque).

A screenshot of the comment was quickly circulated across various social media platforms, sparking tension in the communally sensitive coastal belt. The message led to anxiety among local residents, especially as it referenced a place of worship.

Police officials said the threatening comment was first noticed by Santosh Doddamani, who was on routine social media monitoring duty. Recognising the seriousness of the content and its potential to disturb public peace, he immediately lodged a formal complaint at the Ullal police station.

Based on the complaint, the police registered a case and launched an investigation to trace the individual behind the account.

Swift police action

Senior police officials stated that cybercrime personnel worked in coordination with local officers to identify and locate the accused. Technical analysis of the social media account, including IP tracking and associated digital footprints, reportedly helped the police trace the handle to Shankar Mastappa Moger.

He was taken into custody from his residence and brought to Ullal for questioning. After preliminary interrogation, he was formally arrested and produced before the court, which remanded him to judicial custody.

Police sources said that the accused is being questioned to ascertain his motive behind posting the message and to determine whether he had any actual intent or resources to carry out such an act. At present, officials have indicated that the threat appears to have been made irresponsibly on social media without any concrete plan, but investigations are ongoing.

Communal sensitivity and public reaction

The coastal districts of Karnataka, including areas around Ullal and Mangaluru, have witnessed communal tensions in the past. As a result, even unverified or casual threats can trigger panic and unrest.

Following the circulation of the screenshot, several community leaders appealed for calm and urged the public not to spread unverified content. Police personnel were deployed in sensitive areas as a precautionary measure, though no untoward incidents were reported.

Officials confirmed that adequate security measures were put in place near religious institutions in Ullal to reassure the public and prevent any escalation of tension.

Warning against misuse of social media

The Mangaluru police have issued a stern warning to the public against misusing social media platforms to issue threats, spread rumours, or disturb communal harmony.

In a statement, police authorities emphasised that stringent legal action would be taken against individuals found posting inflammatory or threatening content online. They noted that even messages shared as a “joke” or for attention can have serious legal consequences under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act.

Cyber monitoring has been intensified in the district to prevent similar incidents. Officials also appealed to citizens to report any suspicious or provocative content directly to the police instead of forwarding it on messaging platforms.

Investigation continues

While the accused has been arrested, the investigation remains underway to determine whether he acted alone and whether there was any external influence or instigation. The police are also examining his social media activity to check for any previous posts that may have violated the law.

Authorities reiterated their commitment to maintaining peace and ensuring that communal harmony is not disturbed by irresponsible online behaviour.

The swift arrest in this case has been projected as a message that law enforcement agencies are closely monitoring digital platforms and will not hesitate to act against those attempting to create fear or unrest.

As the legal process unfolds, officials have urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with authorities. The incident serves as a reminder of the power and responsibility that come with social media use, particularly in regions where communal sensitivities run high.