Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal

Bantwal, May 20: Clashes erupted between supporters of BJP and Congress parties at Kelinja in Vittal here late evening on Saturday May 19. Four persons were injured in the incident.

Congress workers Azeez and Salwin who were injured have been admitted to the community health centre here. Two BJP workers were also injured.

It is learnt that Congress party workers were celebrating after BJP's B S Yeddyurappa resigned as chief minister just before trust vote in the assembly earlier in the day. The Congress workers reportedly chanted 'BJP murdabad', and BJP workers who were in the earshot retaliated by chanting 'Congress murdabad'. Arguments ensued between the two groups and soon they resorted to physical brawl, sources said. The groups threw soda bottles and attacked each other with sticks, it is said.

In Kudtamugeru in Kolnad too, there was a clash between two groups and four persons were injured, sources said. Two of the injured have been identified as Dhanraj and Sharath. They have been admitted to a private hospital in Puttur.

On receiving information, higher police officials including SP Ravikante Gowda visited the spot. The police brought the situation under control.

The police have tightened security in the area.

SP Ravikante Gowda clarified that there was no communal clash and that it was a minor incident involving political parties. He strictly warned against spreading rumours on WhatsApp and other social media regarding the Vittal and Kolnad incidents.