Kundapur, January 21: Un-proclaimed bundh was observed at Gangolli on Wednesday January 21st after miscreants set a shop, godown and cars ablaze which owed a huge loss. Tension prevailed in the area post this incident.
Section 144 is imposed in Gangolli which continues until the situation completely returns to normal state.
A shop named Venkateshwara Stores, a godown adjacent to the shop, Chevrolet Enjoy car parked in front of the shop owner’s house, a Ritz car and 407 vehicle were set ablaze by the miscreants at about 2 am during late night on Tuesday, January 21st. The shop owner Venkatesh Bhaskar Shenoy who was sleeping, heard some noise and came out to inspect. He saw some people setting fire to his property and despite of his scream at them to stop their act, the miscreants set his property on fire and fled the venue. Though he had chased them for some distance, he could not succeed in catching them. The flaming fire forced him to return back.
Although he struggled to extinguish the fire with the help of his family members and locals, due to the intensity of the flames, the front portion of the shop, several items in front portion of the godown and Chevrolet car were burnt.
This incident was recorded on CCTV, which shows a team of two to three people pouring petrol on the shop and setting it on fire by 2.15 am during early morning on Wednesday, January 21st. One among them had masked his face, who had spilled petrol all over the area is recorded in CC camera. Following it he had set fire and escaped through the main gate. Major mishap was averted as the owner woke up sensing the petrol smell and discovered the fire in its early stage.
Bundh: Following the incident, pro-Hindu activists and the locals protested at the spot of fire incident demanding immediate arrest of the culprits and blocked the roads. Following it they moved by walk and gathered near Rama Mandir and blocked the traffic by keeping stones across the road. Bus movement came to halt after 9 am. Post this, all the vehicles were made to stop. An un-announced bundh was observed in Gangolli and most of the shops remained shut.
SP Visit: Udupi district SP Annamalai visited the spot and inspected. After speaking to shop owners and protesters, he assured that the accused will be arrested by evening on Wednesday and requested the public not to pave way for any untoward incidents and people should maintain peace.
ASP Santhosh Kumaar, Kundapur DySP Manjunath Shetty, and other police personnel’s visited the spot and inspected the incident. Kundapur police circle inspector Diwaker P M, Byndoor circle inspector Sudarshan, Gangolli station sub inspector Subbanna, Byndoor police inspector Santhosh Kaikini and others are stationed at the place. A KSRP battalion and three DAR policemen have also been deployed as a precautionary measure.
Kundapur divisional officer Charulatha Somal and Tahsildar Gayatri Nayak inspected the spot. Byndoor BJP president B M Sukumar Shetty, chief secretary Sadananda Uppinakudru, BJP district chief secretary Gururaj Uppunda, convener of Hindu Jagruthi Vedike Dhananjay Kundapur, Arvind Koteshwar and others visited the spot.
Venkatesh Shenoy is running the shop situated close to the main road at Gangolli since past two decades. He is identified in religious circles and had a good relationship with other communities. He had no enmity with anyone, he said.
