Kasaragod man climbs mobile tower over 27-year land document dispute

A man identified as P. K. Mohandas climbed a BSNL mobile tower in Badiyadka, Kasaragod, threatening suicide due to a 27-year struggle to obtain land title deeds and essential documents.

Mohandas scaled the tower on Tuesday morning while holding a bottle of petrol and wearing a noose. He warned that he would set himself on fire or jump if anyone attempted to reach him. The incident follows several previous protests by the man regarding the same issue, including climbing trees and a tower at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in 2018.

The Kasaragod Fire and Rescue Services conducted a three-hour operation to save him. Rescuers managed to distract Mohandas by calling his mobile phone, providing an opportunity for personnel to climb the tower and secure him. Following the rescue, he was handed over to the Badiyadka police.