Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (GA) - pics - Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Oct 2: Bajpe city which was gearing up for the historic event of the landing of first international flight at the airport, received a shock after incidents of violence were reported on Sunday October 1 night.  However, the latest reports said that the situation is under complete control, and there is nothing to panic about.

The violence broke out after people belonging to a certain community objected to the display of their community man along with a deity belonging to another community in a tableau, during the Sharadotsava procession in the Bajpe town.  The group asked the organizers to remove the depiction which they found offensive. But the organizers declined to do so.  So a complaint was filed with the Bajpe police.

Sensing possible trouble, the police asked the organizers not to exhibit the depiction under question.  But the organizers remained adamant.  Immediately news spread in the nearby areas and people of two different communiities gathered in groups at the spot.  Taking advantage of the situation, some miscreants started pelting stones.

As a result several shops were damaged.  Stones were also pelted at a house of worship at Bajpe.  Even a car  belonging to an advocate was damaged in the violence.  

Deputy Commissioner Maheswar Rao and SP B Dayananda visited the place along with Suratkal MLA J Krishna Palemar.  The situation was brought under control by the police.

On Monday, Bajpe remained closed in the morning hours.  Shops and other business concerns too were closed.  Sources said that the procession which was stopped on Sunday night would be resumed at 2 pm on Monday.

There were reports that Section no. 144 had been clamped in the area. But speaking to Daijiworld, SP Dayananda denied that the prohibitory orders had been issued.