Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal
Bantwal, Feb 1: Clashes erupted at Kalladka here on Monday February 1, reportedly over a trivial matter, leading to stone-pelting and damage to several vehicles. One person was seriously injured in the clashes while six others sustained minor injuries. They have been admitted to hospital.
A tense atmopshere prevailed in Kalladka, with the town coming to a complete standstill. The police have deployed tight security and brought the situation under control for now.
A quarrel between some persons in an auto rickshaw and the driver of a pick-up truck is said to have sparked the clashes. Due to re-asphalting work on national highway 75, the entire stretch witnessed heavy traffic congestion right throught the day. At around 7 pm, the driver of pick-up truck stuck in the gridlock went reverse by mistake, and hit an auto rickshaw behind.
Angered by this, Kiran, Mohan, Ravi Bhandary and another person who were in the auto rickshaw got out and allegedly abused and assaulted the pick-up driver. Even as the fight was going on, the door of the pick-up vehicle hit a car belonging to Puttur-based hotelier Sunil Shetty. Prakash, the driver of Shetty's car questioned the foursome without rolling down the window. The accused then turned on him and Shetty and allegedly started abusing and assaulting them too. Shetty's son Siddhant who tried to intervene and stop the fight was also assaulted and robbed of his gold chain, it is said.
An Alto car that was moving from Puttur towards Mangaluru was attacked and its windshield smashed. Two persons who were in the car, identified as Ganesh and Umesh of Sampya, were injured in the incident. Santyar Rakesh who was driving the car has filed a police complaint in this regard.
Meanwhile, a mob gathered at the spot and thrashed the accused who had created the trouble. The incident eventually took a communal turn and tension escalated.
Taking advantage of the situation, a group of miscreants threw soda bottles at a bus, causing severe face injuries to Mysuru resident Krishna Bhat (65) who was inside. The bus driver Honappa Patel, conductor and co-passengers immediately rushed Bhat to hospital in BC Road for first aid and then to Mangaluru for advanced treatment. They also filed a case in Bantwal town police station.
Following the clashes, all shops and business establishments in Kalladka downed their shutters and additional police force was rushed to the spot. Bantwal ASP Bhaskar Rai, circle inspector Beliappa, Bantwal rural police inspector Rakshith Gowda, Bantwal town SI (crime) Gangadhar and other police personnel arrived at the spot and brought the situation under control. Police sources said that the situation is presently peaceful.