Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (EP)

Beltangady, Jan 4: A group of supporters of MLA Harish Poonja allegedy vandalised the stage when a drama by Tuluver Tudar team of Surathkal was in progress and assaulted the artistes in a government school on January 1.

On the New Year night, when the play was in progress as a part of Arambodi Government School anniversary, Poonja's supporters barged on to the stage forcing the play to be stopped and urged the organisers to allow MLA Harish Poonja to speak. They reportedly assaulted the drama artistes and hurled expletives at them when they refused to stall the play. 

MLA Poonja, who was a chief guest for the event, arrived about two hours late for the event. His supporters reportedly urged the organisers to stop the drama and allow the MLA to speak on the stage.

As the main scene of the drama was in progress, the artistes refused and tried to explain that the spirit of the drama would be affected.

However the supporters, who would not listen, removed the electric fuse and assaulted the artistes. They hurled expletives at the artistes without considering the presence of female members.

The Tulu Nataka Kalavidara Okkoota who held a meeting in Mangaluru on Wednesday, January 4 in this connection condemned the incident and urged the people involved to apologise.