Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Nov 2: Three persons including president of Badagannur gram panchayat in the taluk were arrested relating to an incident in which an unauthorized platform on which a green flag was found hoisted, was damaged. The incident occurred on the night of Monday October 31.

The arrested men have been identified as president of Badagannur panchayat, Keshava Gowda, and two locals, Harish and Anil. 20 more persons have been named in the complaint filed in rural police station here relating to this incident.

About a decade back, a platform known as 'Kesari Katte' had been built by the roadside at Hosanagar in Badagannur. About a month back, a platform, which has come to be known as 'Hasiru Katte' was built in a private land on the road leading to the mosque on which a green flag was hoisted. After misunderstandings arose between two communities on the issue of this platform, a meeting was held at the police station with the participation of gram panchayat president, taluk panchayat members and locals, in which assistant superintendent of police participated.

In the meeting, the responsibility of sorting out the issue was entrusted to the gram panchayat. The gram panchayat meeting of Badagannur which considered the matter, took a decision to demolish the 'Hasiru Katte' that has been built without any authorization. The resolution so passed was sent to the taluk tahsildar, but nothing had been done to implement this decision.

After 10 pm on Monday, people from a particular community reportedly gathered near 'Hasiru Katte'. They hoisted a saffron flag at 'Kesari Katte' and damaged 'Hasiru Katte' , a complaint made to the police station claims. The police who came on the spot arrested three persons found near this platform.

On Tuesday November 1, rural circle inspector, Anil Kulkarni, and Sampya police station police sub-inspector, Abdul Khader, visited the area and inspected the spot. In the afternoon, both the platforms were demolished in the presence of taluk panchayat chief executive officer, Jagadish S, local assistant superintendent of police, C B Rishvanth, and gram panchayat development officer.