Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, Dec 9: The peace meeting, called by the police commissioner and the district adminstration following the communal clashes at Ulaibettu and the subsequent protest and bandh, was held amid boycott from Muslim leaders, and consequently, there was almost no representation of the Muslim community in the meet.

Even before the meeting at the police commissioner's office here on Tuesday December 9, press releases were issued by M S Masood of Muslim Central Committee and Samyukta Muslim Jamath president and former mayor K Ashraf stating that Muslims would boycott the meeting, as people's representatives, namely MLAs J R Lobo and Mohiuddin Bava, MLC Ivan D'Souza and ministers Ramanath Rai, U T Khadar and Abhaychandra Jain were not invited, and as a mark of protest against reported police order to ban loudspeaker in Ulaibettu mosque.

However, when contacted later, the police commissioner said that all the people's representatives including Mohiuddin Bava had been informed, but due to their prior official committments, they could not attend the meet.

The meeting began with members of various organizations demanding to know why there had been a boycott.

VHP working president M B Puranik said, "Leaders of other communities and groups are not present. How can we have a mutual discussion in this peace meet in their absence?"

Referring to the VHP protest at Vamanjoor that turned violent, he said, "Hindu organizations did not indulge in any violence during the protest, nor in the first clash at Ulaibettu. We never intended to be violent in either of the incidents, but we were provoked by Muslims.

"Only once a year we go to Datta Peetha, and we do not indulge in any violence or even speak offensive language while wearing the Datta Mala. But we were attacked with swords. Muslims told us not to wear saffron and walk through that place (Ulaibettu). Even women were attacked. Hindus do not feel safe to live in this district anymore," he said.

BJP MLC Monappa Bhandary also referred to the absence of Muslim leaders in the meet and said, "How did they not come even after circulars were sent? This shows how much they respect the district administration. If we discuss now and come up with a solution, it will be just one-sided. I demand to know why they did not come."

To this, police commissioner R Hitendra replied, "I had given notice to everybody, and they promised they would come but they did not turn up." The DC too replied on the same lines and said no one could be forced to attend the meet.

PFI, SDPI walk-in and walk-out

At that moment, PFI president Athaullah and two leaders of SDPI walked into the hall.

Immediately, Monappa Bhandary stood up and started hurling accusations, saying that any time there is a communal clash, it happens because of only three reasons - 'cattle trafficking, conversion, and Love Jihad - and innocents are targetted'.

He also alleged that the district magistrate (DC) and the police were under pressure.

"The atmosphere in Ulaibettu was like war situation along India-Pakistan border. Are we living in India or some other country? Goondaism is not acceptable in our country. Gandhiji's motto of showing the other cheek is gone. Hindus are tolerating all sorts of atrocities very peacefully and calmly. How can they tell us not to wear saffron and walk on the street? We never told Muslims not to wear skull cap, because we respect their religious sentiments. Why can't they do the same for us?" Bhandary lashed out.

At this PFI president Athaulla, without replying to Bhandary's charges, said, "The district incharge minister Ramanath Rai was supposed to be present in the meeting. Mohiuddin Bava under whose charge Ulaibettu falls, has not been invited. As people's representatives are not present we will also boycott this meeting."

PFI and SDPI leaders then walked out, amid shouts from Kumar Malemar and others to 'get out' and that they have 'no respect for the police or the district administration'. "When we wear Datta Mala for 48 days, we still respect the call for prayers in mosques. They should show respect and attend the peace meet. If they wanted to walk out, why did they come at all?" he said.

Do not bow to pressure: Krishna Palemar to police

Former MLA Krishna Palemar said that communal clashes had increased of late and and that police have become 'weak'. "There have been five communal clashes ever since the new police commissioner took charge. The police are demoralized. Forget about Hindus and Muslims, even the police are attacked. What steps have you (police commissioner) taken to stop attacks against your own men? Even in Ulaibetttu cops were attacked but no steps taken to control it.

"If there has to be peace in the region people should have fear of the police and the law. I do not understand why the police are afraid. Do not come under pressure of ministers. Do your work freely. Even when the police are attacked in police stations, no action is taken. You have to tighten up things," Palemar said.

'Police are biased'

Satyajit Suratkal, regional convener of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike (HJV), alleged that the police are 'biased' when it comes to booking cases. "If a crime is done by a Hindu, even if its a small brawl or applying of cow dung on face, the person is booked under section 307 (attempt to murder), but when a Muslim does it, he is booked under a lesser section. There are many pending cases against Muslims but no action taken.

Referring to the argument over road issue that had sparked the Ulaibettu clash, he said, "It is the government that takes care of roads, and people are not involved in it. It is strange to see here that locals are 'maintaining it'. It was deliberate. Ulaibettu has less Muslim population, then how is it that on that night, more than a thousand people came with sharp weapons? It was a planned attack."

He further said, "There are many illegal slaughter houses in the district and many times we have informed the police, but only few have been raided and action taken is very less.

"Hindus have no support. Our emotions are not being respected. It is we who should have boycotted this meet. People come on road only when they lose trust in the police and the government. This peace meet is for temporary solution, but we need a permanent solution," he said.

"Both communities should be present to have peaceful dialogue. Just as we respect their sentiments and their religious customs, they have to do the same towards us. When both respect each other's customs, there will be lasting peace," he added.

'Wanted to protest silently'

VHP leader Jagadish Shenava also spoke on similar lines and said, "During our protest not a single person came with any weapon, even though we are so strong. We never intended to take law into our hands, we just wanted to silently protest."

He also demanded that the district administration pay compensation to those injured in the clashes and also pay their hospital bills.

Hanumanth Kamath, president Nagarika Hitarakshana Vedike said that if the DC and the police commissioner make up their minds to maintain a peaceful atmosphere, they can do it. "All those involved in the communal clash have to be arrested. Things like illegal slaughter houses and stabbing incidents and so on that disturb peace show the failure of police. It is not that these incidents have not happened before, but the police are not taking action despite having information," he said.

CPM secretary Yadav Shetty pointed out that an entire community should not be blamed for the actions of a few individuals, and that there should be mutual respect between communities.

Aleef Saheb Padekal, a local, expressed concerns over safety and the futility of calling bandh, and said, "We do not know if our children will come back safely from school. Who isbe responsible for paying for the losses suffered due to bandh? It is the common man who faces problems during bandh."

Marcel Monteiro, who representated the Mangaluru bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, said, "Both communities do not trust each other. They need to have mutual respect for each other's culture. We have to live peacefully and help others, only then will there be peace in society."

'Forget Hindus and Muslims, we are humans'

Speaking once again, M B Puranik urged for peace, saying, "Forget about Hindus and Muslims, we are humans first. Innocent people are being targetted, the safety and security of people is the responsibility of the police. We never wanted to take law into our hands, we went to the protest bare-handed just to express our anger. Those responsible for the clashes should be arrested."

He also warned that if such incidents repeat in future, the consequence would be greater.

Balakrishna, human rights activist, urged the police to be more people-friendly.

'Police personnel at Ulaibettu transferred'

Towards the end of the meeting, police commissioner R Hitendra referred to the allegations that police had not responded to the Ulaibettu clash, and said, "The police personnel who was on duty in Ulaibettu has been transferred. We have also asked for detailed report on the incident, which is expected in three days.

Responding to allegations that police are biased in booking people under the Goonda Act, he said, "FIR is not everything. It is only a chargesheet to file proper details of a case. Goonda Act is to prevent crimes, so that no clashes or disturbance happen. The police cannot be biased while invoking the Goonda Act, as it is the judge who looks into the case and gives the final judgement. Hence, to say that politics is involved is wrong. Yes, arresting people in a biased way is wrong. We have so far booked six persons under Goonda Act, and among them, three each are from two communities."

At this, a din rose again with some telling the police commissioner not to give numbers and indulge in 'balancing act' while booking cases.

Regarding illegal slaughter houses, Hitendra said, "We have sent written instructions to all police stations to locate illegal slaughter houses in the district conduct raids. We will take more steps to curb mushrooming of illegal slaughter houses."

He also asserted that whoever indulges in creating communal disturbances will be arrested without any bias.

'Compensation for injured'

Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim concluded the meet with a call to maintain the reputation and image of the district. "We need to work towards preserving the image of the district and its culture. This is the second best district in Karnataka and we need to maintain that image," he said.

"All those injured in the clashes will be compensated. When we visied the hospitals today, we saw that most of the injured were innocent, and some of not even belonging to this place. They will be compensated by the district adminstration," he said.

He also warned that strict action would be taken against anyone who breaks the law.

SP Dr Sharanappa, ZP CEO Tulasi Maddineni, IGP (western range) Amrit Paul, deputy mayor Kavita and others were present.