Mangalore: City Remains Calm Amidst Tight Security
Update 11.30 pm IST
Oct 5: Thursday October 4 could well go in the annals of Mangalore as the “Dark Day” owing to communal clashes that rocked the town and its surroundings.
People, who had gone to bed on Wednesday night without the slightest of hints of violence that was to follow, were in all kinds of difficulties owing to the sudden bundh.
While the transport system came to a standstill, schools, colleges and business concerns remained closed for the entire day. Despite tight police vigil, violence continued in some areas. It was only late in the evening that situation was brought under control and a few people dared to come on the streets.
The fresh reports from our correspondents who are still keeping a vigilant eye on the happenings said that as of now situation is slowly getting better if not normal. Yet police security is deployed in almost all areas. The worship places of both the communities have been provided with adequate security while SP B Dayananda and other senior officials are handling the situation admiringly well.
Police who were deployed in Baba Budangiri are said to have been summoned back to assist law and order situation in and around the city. KSRTC buses resumed plying in the evening while some small shops too were opened to cater to people’s needs. However nothing is clear about Friday.
Though schools and colleges have not declared a holiday, it is quite clear that they would think twice before re-opening the schools on Friday.
It was after a long time that such intense incidents of violence occurred in the city. It was more than a year ago during the funeral procession of Polali Ananthu that city had witnessed these kind of ugly incidents. Something similar was happening on Thursday, as no one was willing to cooperate with police in maintaining law and order. Finally police had no other option than opening fire, caning the mobs and even bursting tear gas.
The incident has once again proved that the currently, the district remains as one of most sensitive areas in the state. While a well-organized and pre-planned Karnataka bundh had little response in the district, a non-planned, sudden bundh call had more effect in the city. Not a single private bus did ply on roads even in the early hours of Thursday.
Trouble-makers Get Cane Treatment at Bajalakeri – Several Arrested
Update 6.00 pm
Mangalore: In order to bring an end to the tension which prevailed in Car Street, the police in a quick operation arrested several persons who were involved in stone pelting in the evening.
Several squads of police marched into the narrow streets of Lower Car Street where groups were involved in rampage.
At Bajalkeri the police resorted to bursting tear gas when a mob grew violent and began pelting stones. A scooter was also set ablaze.
Police caned everyone and arrested several. However innocent people who were present there also had to bear the brunt of the police sticks.
Within a few minutes the road was cleared and several arrested. The fire brigade extinguished the fire.
Violence Abates – Situation Under Control
5.00 pm, IST
The situation now seems to be under control. From dawn the city and outskirts have been dotted with instances of violence. However pro-active policing by the DK police has brought the situation under control.
The dynamic DK SP B Dayanand had personally been on rounds to all the hyper-sensitive areas in and around Mangalore. The SP who has been tirelessly monitoring the situation from Wednesday night was seen at the spot of violence with his best efforts to bring the situation under control.
The major set back that several persons observed was that the police were not prepared to handle such a situation as a police platoon had been sent to Baba Budangiri.
After the major group clash in the Bunder area in Mangalore where the police resorted to bursting of tear gas no major untoward incident has been occurred.
One cannot ignore the role of rumors that have been widespread from Wednesday night in creating tension and fear. The city grew peaceful by 5 pm.
Section 144 will however be continued till Oct 7.
Mangalore: trouble-makers Tear-gassed at Bajilakeri
2.43pm, IST
An alarming development is the spread of violence in various parts of the city. A place of worship was attacked by miscreants which led to an violent upsurge.
Police resorted to light cane-charge in front of Mukyaprana Temple in Mangalore after which the situation was under control. But however within a hour fresh violence occurred which led to friction between people of different communities.
The entire Bunder area was gripped with tension. The police burst several rounds of tear gas to disperse the crowd.
A tempo was also set ablaze and two lorries have been damaged due to stone pelting.
Latest reports have been received of miscreants setting ablaze a shop at Pumpwell and at Old bus stand.
Mangalore: Mob Assaults Media Persons at Chokkabettu
2.15pm, IST
Fresh reports of violence have been received from several pockets of the district. The tension which took birth in Mangalore had its impact even in places like Karkala, Beltangady, B C Road and Bantwal.
Media persons too were beaten up by miscreants during the violence on Thursday. Two persons belonging to a local news channel were attacked by a mob of around 200 persons.
Shivaprasad the cameraman who was on his bike to cover the violence at Suratkal was attacked by a mob at Chokkabettu around 2 kms from Suratkal.
Places from Krishnapura, Chokkabettu, Belthangady, Kalladka also witnessed violent attacks.
A rickshaw was set on fire at Pumpwell while in several places stone pelting has been reported including Uppinangady, Thokottu, Bajalakeri.
CSRP, DAR forces are in action and DK SP B Dayananda has been personally inspecting the hypertensive areas.
Additional Police Force Deployed in Mangalore
Latest Update 1.30 pm
Mangalore: Additional police forces have been rushed to Mangalore to control the situation after violent attacks mushroomed in several places in and around the city.
While Mangalore city remains calm its suburbs have been witnessing instances of violence. Our man from Suratkal has informed us that tension has been brewing in the place.
Several instances of violence have come from Suratkal which are an indication that several groups have been actively involved in violence.
Police forces have been deployed from Udupi and Chikmaglur. A police platoon which was sent to Baba Budangiri has also been called back.
Fresh instances of violence have been reported from Donderkeri. Stones and bottles were thrown at buildings. Police rushed to the spot and controlled the situation.
Police vehicles with loudspeakers have been moving around the city informing people to stay indoors.
Updated at 1-00 pm
Section 144 Clamped in the City
Although no incidents have been reported in the city, Section no. 144 has been clamped within the Mangalore city limits. The district control room has informed Daijiworld that the same prohibitory orders have been promulgated in areas outside the city where disturbances have taken place, like Suratkal, Farangipet, Bantwal etc. for a period of three days.
More Photographs.. Click Here
Earlier Report: