Mangalore: Congress-BJP clash - Cases filed against 225 people
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)
Update: March 16
Mangalore, Mar 16: In the wake of Congress-BJP clashes which took place at Kunjathabail here on Thursday March 14 night, the Kavoor police have registered cases against more than 225 people.
Fight arose between groups of Congress and BJP workers during Congress victory celebration on Thursday night. Stones were pelted at the rally resulting in the arrest of former BJP corporator Sharat Kumar. The BJP supporters then gheraoed Kavoor police station and set a deadline of 48 hours to fulfil their demands.
Cases have been registered against former corprator Sharat, Rajkiran, Shivakumar along with 200 others. Complaint was also filed against more than 25 people who laid seize at Kavoor police station.
Earlier Updates
Mangalore: Congress-BJP clash - Protest ends after police assure action
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (DV)
Update: 12.20 pm
Mangalore, Mar 15: The protestors who had gathered at Kavoor police station have now dispersed, after higher police officials assured fulfilment of their demands.
Sources said that police have released former BJP corporator Sharat Kumar from custody, though he is still recuperating in hospital. The bikes which had been seized following the clashes on Thursday night were also released.
RSS leader Prakash S said that they spoken to DCP on the issue and apprised hime about the alleged misbehaviour of the police with their leaders. "The DCP has promised to take action on the matter and also assured arrest of Asif and Riyaz from Congress who were mainly involved in the clashes," he said.
"The DCP also said that the investigation has been over by ACP Ravi Kumar, and that the damage caused will be borne by the police," Prakash said, adding that district incharge minister C T Ravi has also promised action in the matter.
"If the demands are not fulfilled in 48 hours, all 20 BJP corporators and the people will fight for justice," he warned.
Addressing the protestors, Prakash said, "The society respects our thoughts and views, and hence we should also display good behaviour. Hence we will end the protest and disperse, and wait for 48 hours."
With that, the protestors dispersed from the police station premises.
Earlier Updates
Mangalore: Congress-BJP clash - Protestors give 48-hour deadline to suspend SI
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)
Update: 11.25 am
Mangalore, Mar 15: Nearly 500 protestors belonging to various Hindu organizations gheroed Kavoor police station here on Friday March 15 following clashes after stones were pelted on Congress victory rally on Thursday March 14 night.
The protestors demanded release of former BJP corporator Sharat Kumar who was taken into custody on Thursday night. It is said that during the lathi charge, Sharat and another person identified as Pramod were injured and admitted to a hospital.
The protestors accused Kavoor SI Umesh and police constable Hariprasad of hitting Sharat and Pramod. An eyewitness told daijiworld that in the police station they were made to sit on floor. "They were beaten in front of other police officials. When others went to ask them why they were being hit, they too were beaten," he alleged, adding that while all other police personnel were good, Umesh and Hariprasad were not.
Addressing the protestors, Umanath Kotian said that in the last five years no fight was reported in Kunjathbail. "The Congress victory rally went on till 1 am with music and DJ, but rules say that DJ cannot go on past 10 pm. This shows the inefficiency of police who are running behind money," he said.
The protestors gave a deadline of 48 hours to suspend SI Umesh, failing which they threatened to intensify their protest.
BJP minorty morch unit vice-president Franklin Monteiro said, "BJP may have been defeated in elections, but not in our ideology. If someone hurts our sentiments, we know how to answer."
He further asserted, "Even I am from a minority community, besides, my country is important to me. We will give the right answer to the injustice meted out by the police. BJP works only for national interest whereas Congress supports illegal activities."
Madhu Kiran, Sharan Pumpwell, Pradeep Pumpwell, Randeep, Suchetan, Koragappa, Jagadish Shnava, corporator Rajesh were present.
Vegetable stall set on fire
Meanwhile, late on Thursday night, a stall kept by a vegetable and fruits vendor near Kavoor junction fish market was set on fire by miscreants.
Abbas, who owned the stall, speaking to daijiworld said that he has been working in Kavoor from the past 25 years and had set up his stall at the spot four years ago. "I came to know about it only this morning at 5 am. I do not know why they destroyed my stall," he said.
Incidentally, though there are many stalls nearby, only one was targetted. Another vendor said that the stall was singled out because Abbas is from Kunjathbail.
In addition, several shops were closed in the area on Friday morning, possibly out of fear.
Earlier Report
Mangalore: Stones pelted at Congress victory rally - former BJP corporator in custody
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Mar 15: Stones were thrown at a victory procession of newly elected Congress city corporator, Muhammed, in the city on Thursday March 14 night.
To celebrate the victory of Muhammed, his supporters were going through various areas in and around Kunjathbail in the city. When the procession was drawing to a close, stones were rained on it. This gave rise to friction between two groups, following which the police intervened, caned the miscreants, and brought the situation under control. The incident occurred just when the procession was about to be concluded near Katte in Kunjathbail.
It is gathered that the Congress supporters, who got angry at those who pelted stones at them, attacked the trouble mongers. This gave rise to a street brawl between two groups, as a result of which a number of people got injured and had to be admitted into hospitals in the city.
Congress workers alleged that supporters of former BJP corporator from the ward, Sharat Kumar, were behind the stone pelting incident. Sharat Kumar has been taken into custody by the police.
The situation turned tense after Bajrang Dal leaders, Sharan Pumpwell, Madhukiran, etc rushed to the spot.
Police from Kavoor station acted swiftly and succeeded in dispersing the mobs. Cheluvaraj, inspector from Panambur police station, arrived on the spot and remained there till late night, to ensure that trouble does not break out again. police continue to patrol the areas of the ward and keep tight vigil.
There is information that supporters of Sharat Kumar are planning to mob Kavoor police station today in an effort to pressurize the police to release the corporator. It is said that protest by way of closure of shops in the ward today is also on the cards.