Sullia: Drunken brawl between two groups claims a life
Daijiworld Media Network – Sullia (SP)
Sullia, Jun 5: A number of devotee families from nearby villages in Dakshina Kannada and Hassan districts have traditionally been visiting the Shrine of Chowdamma at Bisile on the border of the two districts to pay obeisance to their family deity. They are used to sacrifice animals like sheep, goats etc to the goddess, cook their food near the shrine after performing puja there, and return home thereafter.
On Tuesday June 4, two groups from the two districts arrived at the shrine, performed puja, and consumed liquor while having food thereafter. The groups of drunken men then fought a pitched battle with each other, ending in the death of one of the men due to serious injuries.
A group of about 25 persons from Sullia and Puttur taluks had reached the shrine on Tuesday. At the same time, another group comprising around 30 people from Sakleshpur taluk arrived there to perform puja. It is said that some members of the group from Sakleshpur mocked at the group from Dakshina Kannada district by passing some silly remarks when the groups were washing their hands after having party in which drinks flowed freely.
The other group objected to this, leading to verbal altercation and culminating in physical fight. Utensils, ladles, etc were used in the fight. The group from Dakshina Kannada left the place in their vehicle after the incident, but by then one from the other group had suffered serious injuries in his head, temple, cheeks, back, face, and genitals.
The group from Hassan carried the injured in their pick-up vehicle to Sadananda Hospital in Subrahmanya, but the doctors found that the person, identified as Halappa (45), had already died. A number of members from the Hassan group were found to have suffered injuries.
Subrahmanya police station in-charge, Kushalappa Gowda, then visited the spot where the groups had fought. Late night on Tuesday, Sullia circle inspector of police, Sudarshan, and Sakleshpur circle inspector, conducted joint spot inspection. It is gathered that the superintendent of police from Hassan too arrived at the spot. Investigation has begun.