Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)
Puttur, Jun 12: A gang attacked two auto rickshaw drivers with swords on the night of Friday June 10 at Idyadi in Savanur in the taluk and injured them. In this connection, attempt to rape case also has been filed in the police station.
Muhammed Asif (22) from Kukkuje in Savanur willage, and Khalandar (24), a resident of Savanur, were the ones who came under this attack. Muhammed Asif, who suffered serious injuries, stands admitted into a hospital at Mangaluru, whereas Khalandar is being treated at a private hospital here.
Khalandar said in his complaint that residents of Idyadi, Monappa Gowda, Dharnappa Gowda, Poovani Gowda and his sons, Prasad, Balakrishna and Keshava, Kushalappa, and Baby Gowda dragged them out of their three-wheeler and attacked them with swords. He also said that the gang also used iron rods to beat them up.
"Monappa Gowda from Idyadi had hired my auto rickshaw to go to his home. At a road diversion near his house, Monappa asked me to wait on the promise of paying me hire charges by bringing money from his home. When I was waiting for him to return, a local, Poovani Gowda and his son, Prasad, questioned me the purpose of my waiting there, and attacked me. I escaped from them and reached Savanur mosque at the time the fast was to be broken. At night, as I had to reach my home via Idyadi, I requested my friend, Khalandar, who also is an auto rickshaw driver, to accompany me. When we reached Idyadi, a gang stopped us, toppled my vehicle by pushing it, and attacked us with sword. I was injured in my head and palm," he said in his complaint.
On the basis of this complaint, two persons have been taken into custody, and they are being questioned, it is gathered.
At the same time, a case of rape attempt stands registered against the two complainants stated above. Wife of Poovani Gowda has given this complaint. She said that after Monappa Gowda reached the locality in an auto rickshaw, there were differences between him and the auto driver over the hire charges. "My husband intervened, pacified both and settled the issue. Later, the auto driver, Muhammed Asif, returned with his friend, illegally entred our courtyard, charged us of supporting Monappa Goewda on the issue of hire charges, and tried to attack my husband. When I tried to stop him, he pulled at my Karimani chain and tried to rape me. He also attempted to rape some women relatives who came there to stop the skirmish," she stated.
Kadaba police have registered both the cases. They have begun investigation. Accused attackers, Poovani Gowda (62) and Monappa Gowda (67), stand arrested. A total of seven persons have been named as accused in the assault case.
Relating to this incident, district superintendent of police, Bhushan G Borase, held peace meeting at Yuva Sababhavana Savanur on Saturday. He promised to handle cases impartially and to punish the miscreants.
Savanur K Seetaram Rai, speaking on the occasion, said that Savanur is known for communal harmony and that trouble is fuelled because of communal hue attached to even minor incidents. Former taluk vice president, Dinesh Medu, sought a police outpost at Savanur. Headmaster of Pragathi Education Trust Kaniyoor, Girishankaer Sulaya and Merhants Association secretary, Suresh Rai Soodimullu, were among several speakers who talked at the meeting.
The meeting was attended by a number of dignitaries, people's representatives, leaders of organizations, and officials. Assistant superintendent of police, C B Rishvanth, Kadaba station house officer, Umesh Uppalike, and Sampya rural station assistant sub-inspector, Cheluvaiah, were present.