Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Oct 29: In connection with the lethal attack and disturbances which happened on Tuesday night relating to asking a barber shop to observe weekly holiday on Tuesday at Nelyady by a few, the Uppinangady police have registered case against 18 persons. So far, they have arrested nine.

Case stands registered against people from both the warring groups. All the nine were produced in the court here on Wednesday, upon which they were remanded to judicial custody. The arrested people have been identified as Uday, Mahesh, Yashwant, Kushalappa, Muhammed Hanif, Abubakker Siddique, Shakir Ahmed, Abdul Rahiman, and Salman.

In protest against the incident, Hindu businessmen downed their shutters on Wednesday morning at Nelyady and Kokkada. While there was partial bandh in Nelyady, it was total at Kokkada. A tyre was burnt on the road near Kokkada Jodumarga.

The situation was brought under control with police teams led by local assistant superintendent of police, Rishvanth, patrolling the area and keeping tight vigil. Contingents of district armed reserve force and state armed reserve force continue to closely watch the situation.

District superintendent of police, S D Sharanappa, questioned the arrested persons in the town police station here, and gathered the details of the dispute. It is learnt that he interrogated them individually.

After trouble flared up at Nelyady on the issue of asking a salon to be closed down, disturbances had occurred on Tuesday night. Police head constable, Balakrishna and constables, Nanjundayya and Krishna, who went there to control the situation, were attacked. Murder attempt has been alleged in this case. Uppinangady police sub-inspector, Thimmappa, who visited the spot, was attacked by Muhammed Hanif with a wooden stick and life threat was posed to him. The police personnel resorted to light lathi charge to disperse the trouble makers. There were also protests against the police action in entering the premises of prayer centres and wielding the batons. The injured sub-inspector, who escaped danger by a whisker, has been admitted into the government hospital here.

After the incident, the gang of Muslims had fled towards the mosque, and the Hindus towards Ayyappa hill. A number of wooden sticks and stones were found at the spot.

SP, Dr Sharanappa, said that stern steps have been taken in the case and reiterated the police resolve to see that peace is not allowed to get disturbed at any cost.