Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal (RJP)
Mubasshir Hallare

Bhatkal, Mar 24: Clashes erupted between two communities at Murdeshwar here on Tuesday March 24, following which the police had to resort to mild lathi charge to disperse the groups.

Some houses and places of worship belonging to both the communities were slightly damaged. But the situation presently is peaceful and completely under control.

Superintendent of police R Dilip arrived in the town as soon as the tension started and has camped there since then with additional police force.

A peace meeting was called on Tuesday and R Dilip requested both the communities to maintain peace.

As per reports, Jamaat ground near Aloofa Sports Club, which comes under Jamaatul Muslimeen, has a Hindu cremation ground next to it. This land is under dispute as both the communities claim ownership of the land. A meeting was held about six months ago under the supervision of tahsildar, but it failed to bear any positive result.

It is said that on Monday evening, a group belonging to one community objected to the funeral of a woman, but the family of the deceased managed to somehow finish the last rites at the disputed land. The two groups engaged in stone-pelting and the police who rushed to the spot resorted to mild lathi charge. One community also accused an outfit belonging to another community of pelting stones at a mosque and some houses and damaging their window panes.

Meanwhile, a local who resides behind Ghousia mosque said that a group of 15 to 20 persons came late night on Monday March 23 and pelted stones at Hiredomi Nagaramane temple.

Last month when a cricket tournament was held on the same ground, a fight had erupted even then. But the taluk administration and police defused the situation. As per local Hindus, it is a government land and has been allotted to them for cremation purpose. Muslims say that it is private land and they have the records to prove the same. Neither the district administration nor the revenue department has taken any concrete action in the matter, resulting in frequent fights between the communities. In the meeting convened six months ago, the tahsildar had said that the issue would be resolved after conducting a survey of the land, but so far, nothing has been done.

Assistant commissioner Chidananda Wathare who examined the case said that he would study the land records and then decide on the future course of action.

Meanwhile Superintendent of police R Dilip has said that some persons have been arrested relating to the tension and the investigation is in progress.