Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Feb 4: A fruits shop run on goods auto rickshaw by the side of the road at Uppinangady in the taluk was completely gutted after someone torched it on the night of Monday February 2. It may be recalled that the town had been in turmoil due to communal clashes recently.

The shop was owned by Jogibettu Harish, who also used to run a small canteen in this three-wheeler, which has been located by the side of national highway 75 at Kootelu near Uppinangady. On Monday, Harish had served his customers till 11 pm, before leaving for home. After he left, someone ignited fire in this shop, which spread rapidly after the gas cylinder inside the shop burst due to heat.

As soon as he received information, Jagadish Reddy, Uppinangady poice sub-inspector, rushed to the spot, apart from calling the fire brigade. With the help of fire brigade, fire was extinguished, but the entire shop was reduced to ashes by then.

Responding to the deep-rooted problems faced by poor Harish, Uppinangady gram panchayat member, U T Muhammed Tasif, immediately bought four concrete pillars and sheets, and erected a make-shift shop at the same spot overnight. He also helped Harish financially to buy fruits and other items for his shop.

Harish, in spite of the crisis he was facing, said that he cannot think of anyone who would want to destroy his only support of livelihood. 'I have lot of Hindu and Muslim friends. None of the people I know would ever think of finishing me off financially. I imagine that someone who does not know me properly would have done this to me. I cannot guess names of culprits,' he explained, tears rolling down his eyes, kin the presence of media persons.

Additional police have been deployed in the area, in view of the fact that the region is communally sensitive.