Bantwal: Battle for Cattle Rattles Kalladka, Police Resort to Baton Charge
Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal
Pics: Kishore Peraje
Bantwal, Jul 1: Tension prevailed in Kalladka here on Saturday June 20 after a vehicle that was said to be transporting cattle illegally was stopped by a group. The incident snowballed into a full-fledged fight between the two sides, forcing the police to intervene and resort to lathicharge.
On Saturday evening, a tempo that was allegedly transporting cattle illegally was forcibly stopped by a group which intercepted the vehicle with motorbikes. The tempo reportedly hit one of the bikes, as a result of which, the angered group allegedly assaulted the tempo driver.
Another group arrived at the spot and clashes erupted between both the groups, which in turn took on a communal flavour creating tension in the area. Some of them pelted stones and soda bottles on shops and other vehicles, leaving them badly damaged.
As the situation worsened, many shops in the surroundings voluntarily closed down. Some also forcibly stopped vehicles, damaged them and also assaulted a few people, it is learnt.
Police teams from Mangalore, Puttur and Vittal were called to contol the mob. The police resorted to lathi charge to bring the situation under control. Tight security has been deployed in the area.
It is learnt that six people have been injured and 10 vehicles damaged.
DK district SP Abhishek Goyal and Puttur ASP Anucheth visited the spot. Bantwal town police inspector Shekar, rural police inspector Mahesh Prasad and other policemen are monitoring the situation.