Mangalore: Row over cricket betting takes communal turn at Kulai
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)
Mangalore, Jan 15: An altercation between two groups of friends took a communal turn at Kulai here on Tuesday January 14.
A week ago, a friendly cricket match at Kulai ended in a fight over a betting issue. Complaints and counter-complaints were lodged in Suratkal police station. It is alleged that local political leaders tried to gain mileage out of the incident, but in vain.
On Monday January 13 night, Kulai resident Ijaz Ahmed (21) was on his way to Kulai mosque to partcipate in a religious programme when he was stopped by his friends Anil, Devaraj, Sujith, Nikhil, Bala and Vikas, all residents of Kulai. They asked him to pay them the betting money for the match played last week, and said that if he cannot afford to pay he should not have indulged in betting.
This led to a quarrel between Ijaz and the group, and the latter allegedly assaulted Ijaz with a cricket bat and wickets.
Angered by the assault, Ijaz along with his friends Riyaz, Asif, Taseef and about 13 other people from the local mosque and organizations allegedly barged into Anil's house and caused damage. They also reportedly assaulted Anil's father Sadashiva Acharya, mother Lalita, his younger sister and other family members, apart from beating up Anil's neighbours Devaraj Sujith and Nikhil too. They were all admitted to hospital with serious injuries and case was registered by the locals.
On Tuesday, during Eid Milad procession, it is alleged that a few people who were part of the procession pelted stones at Krishna temple at Kulai. As the news spread, a big crowd gathered at the spot and began a flash protest, but after the intervention of police, the situation was brought under control.
As a result, several community leaders rushed to the spot and heated discussions between community leaders and the police took place, but the matter was resolved through talks.
On Tuesday night, an emergency meeting was held in Suratkal police station in the presence of representatives from both communities, Panambur ACP Ravi Kumar and Suratkal SI Nataraj. The incident was scrutinized by the two groups. BJP Mangalore north president Ramesh, Hindu community leaders Sathish Munchhur, Ganapati Bangera, Jayaram Acharya, Umesh Kotian, Yagnesh Aithal, SDPI leader Abubakker Kulai, mosque president Abubakker, Sharif, Ibrahim and others were present.
Panambur ACP Ravi Kumar issued a warning that stringent action would be taken against those spreading rumours or leveling baseless allegations in a bid to spark communal tension, no matter who those persons may be.