Mangaluru: Argument over road sparked Ulaibettu clash - Police commissioner
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)
Updated
Mangaluru, Dec 6: Argument over a new road ignited the communal clash that occured at Ulaibettu on the night of Friday December 5, police commissioner R Hitendra has said.
Speaking to daijiworld, the police commissioner said that the bus carrying Datta Peetha pilgrims was about to go through a newly-laid road that was yet to be inaugurated at Ulaibettu. Barricades had been put up and locals who saw the bus passing by, tried to stop it, saying that the road was not yet opened for public. However, the bus did not stop, which prompted the locals to pelt stones at the bus, said the commissioner. After a brief altercation, the bus with the pilgrims went on its way.
The issue snowballed into a clash between two groups, and took on communal colour and stones were pelted at the mosque. The commissioner however did not mention the communities involved. In the ensuing fight, women who tried to intervene and calm down the mob were also assaulted, he said.
Sources said that 10 men and two ladies have been admitted to hospital.
Altogether, four cases have been registered so far - one by a woman who was assaulted, another by the mosque, another by Datta Peetha pilgrims, and by a Hindu outift.
As many as 23 persons have been arrested in the case, but no new arrests were made on Saturday December 6, Hitendra said.
About allegations by Ulaibettu residents that police had used brutal force and damaged property, the commissioner said that on Friday night when the police were investigating the incident, the residents were asked to come out of their houses, but they refused to cooperate. Hence, police had to forcibly open doors and conduct searches, but they did not break any property, he said.
He further added that the situation is now under control, and once the Datta Peetha pilgrims return, further investigations will be be done.
Earlier Report
Mangaluru: Communal unrest - Protestors give deadline, locals allege police brutality
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)
Updated
Mangaluru, Dec 6: Following the communal disturbances that erupted at Ulaibettu after members of a community pelted stones and attacked Datta Peetha pilgrims on the night of Friday December 5, a protest was held at Vamanjoor to condemn the incident.
Addressing the protest, Sri Rajashekarananda Swamiji of Gurpur Vajradehi Math said, "This is a Taliban-like act. It happens in other country, but now it is happening in our place. In the name of minority they are attacking the majority Hindus. We have not worn bangles. This is shameless act which is totally unacceptable. They attacked us when we were not armed, if they have guts let them come and attack us now."
Alleging that the police did not come to the rescue of the pilgrims, he said, "When a mother called the police for protection, a policeman told her that even they were scared. No police will come to our help, so let us defend and protect ourselves. If this had been done by Hindus, the police would have arrested and booked us under the Goonda Act by now."
He further said, "Muslims are regularly indulging in cow slaughter, Love Jihad and conversion but the police are not taking any action. When we approached the police commissioner he said he would visit the spot - is he going there for lunch? Being a Swami, I am joining this protest, as I could not not bear to see Datta Peetha pilgrims being attacked. I cannot keep quiet. I visited the injured in the hospital. This was a well planned attack, as they came with rods and swords."
He also said that on Monday December 8, bandh will be observed in Gurpur.
When ACP Pawan Nejjoor came to the spot along with his team, arguments arose between the police and the protestors who demanded immediate arrest of the culprits. The ACP promised to take action by Sunday December 7 evening, for which the protestors warned that if the police fail to meet the deadline, a bandh would be observed on Monday.
Jitendra Kottary of Hindu Yuva Sene briefed about the attack and said, "Nearly 500 people attacked the pilgrims without provocation. All of them must be arrested and booked under section 307 of IPC (attempt to murder). We will intensify our protest on Monday if no action is taken by police.
"The 'kesari' (saffron) stands for lion. Do not try to disturb the lion, or we will attack back. Do not play with our emotions," he warned.
Satyajit Suratkal of Hindu Jagarana Vedike (HJV) called for the resignation of local MLAs Mohiuddin Bava and J R Lobo, and said, "People came in hundreds to attack us, and police did not help us even when we appealed. Where is the government? The CM was talking about controlling moral policing, but here immoral policing is happening. Where is the CM now and where is minister Ramanath Rai? The Congress is anti-Hindu."
Referring to the communal tension that gripped Gangolli in Kundapur, he said, "Hanif was not attacked by Hindus. It was just a clash but they gave communal colour to it. Attacking innocent Hindus is just not acceptable.
"On Monday we will wear saffron and descend on this same street carrying saffron flags. If you (pilgrim attackers) have guts, then try to stop us then," he challenged.
Dr Bharat of state BJP Yuva Morcha, Rajesh Kottary and others were present.
The protestors blocked traffic for over one hour, by holding dharna on the street and shouted slogans against the governement.
28 arrested, locals allege police brutality
Meanwhile, an uneasy calm gripped Ulaibettu where the incident occured on Friday night. Police commissioner R Hitendra informed reporters that already 28 persons have been arrested in the case and more would be taken into custody soon.
The residents in Ulaibettu, mostly Muslims, alleged that police teams barged into their houses at night and destroyed their property like television sets and windows. They claimed that activists of right wing outfits also accompanied the police. A woman said that her son who had just arrived from Dubai and was sleeping was forcibly taken away. Doors of some of the houses in the area bore footprints indicating that they might have been kicked open, and some of the doors were broken.
Earlier Report
Mangaluru: Communal tensions flare up at Ulaibettu
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Dec 6: Communal tensions flared up at Ulaibettu near here on the night of Friday December 5.
Tensions started to build after members of a community allegedly attacked a bus carrying pilgrims bound for Datta Peetha in Chikmagalur district
In retaliation, the pilgrims allegedly pelted stones at a mosque in Vamanjoor in the outskirts of the city.
In the stone pelting incident, a car and a petty shop were damaged. When local Muslim youth came together to rebut the attackers, they took their heels.
The police immediately visited the spot and ensured that the incidents did not spread to other areas by taking control of the situation. After the police deployment, no unsavoury incidents were reported.
Two auto rickshaws and two bikes came under attack with stones. Three persons got admitted into SCS Hospital here with injuries.
In connection with the incident, both Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal have given call for Dakshina Kannada district bandh on Monday December 8. A protest is also likely to be held on December 6.