Pics: Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal

Bhatkal, Apr 29: Tense atmosphere prevailed in Murdeshwar on the night of Thursday April 28 following a clash between communities a day earlier. Stones were pelted at mosques and a house in Murdeshwar, and police have deployed heavy security.

As per sources, on Wednesday April 27, a marriage procession passing in front of a mosque in Murdeshwar burst crackers and played loud DJ music accompanied by dancing, even as prayers were going on in the mosque. A person identified as Ifzal requested the marriage party to turn off the music till the prayers were over. Angered by this, some people in the party allegedly assaulted Ifzal and in retaliation, he too pelted stones and injured a person. It is alleged that many in the marriage party were 'drunk'.

The incident had a ripple effect in Bhatkal, with members of a community gathering at Bhatkal circle in protest and trying to block the highway, demanding the arrest of Ifzal. Members of the other commuity too gathered in hundreds. As all the higher police officers were in Murdeshwar to maintain law and order, the situation in Bhatkal turned tense and PSI of Bhatkal could not manage the mob. He was soon joined by Bhatkal ASP Anup Shetty. Some people demanded to know why the protestors had blocked the highway in Bhatkal even though the incident took place in Murdeshwar. The situation was however brought into control after more police teams arrived.

A police complaint was filed against Ifzal, after which he was arrested and sent to judicial custody. The police also called meeting of the leaders of both communities who assured that they would assist the police in maintaining peace. A police official said that Ifzal was arrested after leaders of his community cooperated with the cops and handed him over.

On Thursday night, stones were pelted at Fathima Masjid and a neighbouring house on Idgah road near Urban Bank in Murdeshwar. The window panes of both the mosque and the house were damaged. It is said that four people including two on a bike arrived, pelted stones and fled. A tense atmosphere prevailed as people started gathering in front of the mosque and demand immediate action against the miscreants. According to sources, two policemen were deployed in front of Fathima Masjid. Bhatkal police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Additonal SP from Karwar Devraj, Bhatkal ASP Anup Shetty, CPI Prashant Nayak visited the spot and urged the people to maintain peace.

Police assured the protestors that the miscreants would be arrested soon. Though the protest was withdrawn, the locals expressed displeasure over the way the police had handled the situation.

Security has been tightened and senior officers are camping in the town.