Mangalore: Ullal flare-up - Section 144 clamped, tight security in place
Pics: Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Updated: Feb 6
Mangalore, Feb 6: Following the flare-up at Ullal on Wednesday February 5 when miscreants went about pelting stones at houses and damaging vehicles and boats and subsequent protests, the police clamped Section 144 to bring the situation under control.
Section 144, which was imposed from 5 pm on Wednesday, will go on till 5 pm on Friday February 7.
It is said that the incident sparked off when miscreants tried to molest a woman and assaulted a youth who came to her rescue. Late night on Tuesday February 4, miscreants knocked on the door of Satish Kotian at Mogaveerapatna, and when his wife anwsered, they reportedly clapsed her hand. Her son who tried to intervene was allegedly beaten up and later admitted to a hospital in Deralakatte.
Thereafter, when some youths from Mogaveerapatna were going towards Kotepura, youths from the rival group confronted them and clashes erupted, leading to stone pelting on four houses at Mogaveerapatna and two house in Kotepura, sources said. The miscreants also damaged boats.
One of the miscreants who had left behind his bike at a house in Mogaveerapatna was assaulted and handed over to the police when he came back to fetch the bike, it is learnt. Also, two youths reportedly abused some women using vulgar language, following which a group of women tried to forcibly enter into a mosque but were stopped by the police.
On Wednesday, hundreds of locals gheraoed the police station. The police resorted to lathi charge to disperse the mob. However, by evening, the protestors again gathered in front of the Ullal police station and the situation threatened to go out of hand. Section 144 was then imposed.
Deputy commissioner of police, five inspectors from the city police commissionerate and four teams of Karnataka state reserve police were deployed to control the situation. In addition, 100 police personnel from outside the district arrived to further tighten the security. The police are keeping a strict vigil on Mogaveerapatna and Kotepura.
Sources said that police have also taken 20 persons into custody and more arrests are likely.
Meanwhile, minister of health and family welfare U T Khadar, who is also the MLA of Ullal constituency, appealed for peace and said that he has directed the police to take strict action against the troublemakers.
Earlier Update: February 5
Miscreants go on rampage at Ullal, houses, vehicles, boats damaged
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Feb 5: Miscreants have gone on a rampage in Ullal destroying vehicles, boats and pelting stones at houses. The incident occurred during the intervening night between Tuesday February 4 and Wednesday February 5.
The residents of three houses in Ullal woke up to find their houses damaged by miscreants. The houses belong to Variga, Dharmavati and Santhavati.
The miscreants also damaged a car and a bike. The bike was taken to police station.
Two boats, named Chamundeshwari and another belonging to Kanthi Enterprises, were also damaged at Kotepura.
Sources said that police have already arrested two persons in this regard. Their identities are yet to be known.
As the news spread, locals gathered in front of the police station and staged a flash protest.
Tight security has been deployed in Ullal to prevent further trouble.