Squabble over the road is the cause for Vamanjoor clash.
Mangaluru, December 6: Police commissioner R Hitendra has said that, argument over a new road erupted fight at Ulaibettu on Friday night, December 5th.
Hithendra, speaking to the media said that the bus carrying Datta Peetha pilgrims was about to move by 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. Since the bus did not stop, it drived the locals to pelt stones at the bus, he said. The bus with the pilgrims moved after a small row.
The issue erupted to a clash between two groups, and stones were pelted at the mosque. The commissioner did not mention the communities involved in the fight. He said, meanwhile, the women who tried to intervene to calm them down were also assaulted.
It is said that 11 men and two ladies were hospitalized.
As of now, four cases have been registered pertained to this incident – subsequently by a woman who was assaulted, by the mosque, by Datta Peetha pilgrims, and by a Hindu outfit.
Hitendra said 23 persons have been arrested in relation to the case, but no arrests were made on Saturday December 6th.
Commissioner in response to the allegations by Ulaibettu residents that police had used brutal force and damaged property, said on Friday night when the police were investigating the incident, the residents were asked to check out of their houses, but they refused to cooperate. Hence, police had to forcibly open doors and conduct searches, but they did not damage any property, he said.
Hitendra informed that the situation is now under control and further investigations will be carried out after the return of Datta Peetha pilgrims.
Earlier report:
Mangaluru, December 6: The Hindu outfits protested under the leadership of Rajashekarananda Swamiji, Vajradehi Mutt, Vamanjoor; over the assault on Datta Peetha pilgrims on Friday night by the miscreants.
The protestors blocked the roads at Vamanjoor junction and demanded to take stringent actions on the assaulters. Opposing the attack, they have given a bundh-call on Monday December 8th.
Satyajith Suratkal, addressing the protestors said, the attack against the Patta Peetha pilgrims is condemnable. He urged to take appropriate actions against this attack and said, if in case the accused are not arrested within Monday, severe protest would be staged by calling for a bundh on Monday.
Rajashekarananada Swamiji addressed the protestors and said, there is no security to the Hindus. Situation has gone worse that, the females are unable to move out safely. The cops have failed to ensure security to the Datta Petha Pilgrims and are biasing, he alleged.
Pranavananda Swamiji-President of Hindu Mahasabha, Jithendra Kottary of Hindu Association and many others were seen during the protest.
The traffic came to halt due to the protest. Police force has been deployed in the area to curb the spread of communal revolt.
