Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Jan 7: Relating to a dispute relating to flags arranged on the occasion of Eid Milad, a gang of miscreants launched murderous assault on a youth at Manchakal in Nada village in the taluk on Tuesday January 6.

Since times unknown, people from different religions have been installing and worshipping the divine entities of their choice on both sides of the road in this village. It is said the Hindus had set up a platform relating to their religious beliefs, while Muslims had built a Dargah on the other side of the road. While Hindus decorated their place with saffron flags, buntings etc during annual festivals, Muslims used to tie buntings, green flags etc.

This often created an atmosphere of tension of late, as emotions of some youth from both sides flared up on these occasions. During the Eid Milad celebrations recently, Muslim youth had decorated the Dargah area with flags and buntings. Some youth had threatened these youth to remove them, but as the opposite side offered resistance, complaint was filed with revenue department.

On Tuesday afternoon, Mubin (30), son of Abbas from Parnadka in Nada village and employed at H K Cashew Factory in Keltaje, was returning to his factory after having lunch in a hotel, when a gang of youngsters stopped him in the road, and hit him indiscriminately with iron rods, stones, etc. The youth, who tried to kill Mubin, it is said, even stopped people from rushing the victim to hospital. At last, he was taken to hospital where his condition is stated to be serious. A case stand s registered about the incident.

On Tuesday, tahsildar and other officials visited the spot. Leader of Hindu Jagran Vedike, Shyam Sundar, and several others were present.