Congress convention a Kalladka - Clashes erupt, police resort to lathi charge

Mounesh Vishwakarma
Pics: Kishore Peraje
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal

Updated

Bantwal, Mar 8: Clashes erupted at Kalladka here on Saturday March 8 after a local Congress leader allegedly condemned the Sangh Parivar and particularly RSS leader Dr Prabhakar Bhat during a Congress convention.

It is said that zilla panchayat member Chandraprakash Shetty while addressing the convention allegedly used 'abusive language' while referring to Dr Prabhakar Bhat.

Angered by this, local Sangh Parivar leaders arrived at the spot to question the Congress members and arguments erupted between them, it is learnt. The situation turned tensed when a few persons began pelting stones.

The harmony convention was organized under the aegis Panemangalore block and Goltamajal unit of Congress.

District incharge minister Ramanath Rai, party leaders Harikrishna Bantwalk, Ivan D'Souza, Hemanath Shetty, B H Khader, M S Mohammed, Mamatha Gatti, Mithun Rai, block presidents Mayilappa Salian, Abbas Ali and others were on the dais.

Chandraprakash Shetty in his introductory address said that the convention was organized to foster harmony in society.

"Whenever elections approach, BJP and Sangh Parivar outfits deliver provocative communal speeches. Dr Prabhakar Bhat does not do anything to help the poor or the Hindus. In a recent accident in which four persons of a family died, it was Janardhan Poojary (Congress leader) who helped their kin with financial assistance. But no Hindu leader even met them, nor did any of their leaders extend financial help. Where are they now?" he said.

At this, a group of youths all of a sudden tried to barge on to the dais but the circle inspector intervened and stopped them. At the same time, some people who were in the audience approached the youths and tried to assault them.

The Congress party leaders who were on the dais tried to pacify the two groups, but in vain. The situation turned tense when the people started pelting stones at each other, and there was much chaos as they started running helter-skelter to avoid being injured. Stones and bottles were thrown at each other. Some of them tried to protect themselves by holding chairs as shields.

Police who were at the spot resorted to lathi charge to control the mob. As more people began to gather, the police also used tear gas to disperse the crowd. The traffic too was affected due to the incident. The convention was finally called off.

Bantwal SI Sanjeeva Kumar and a youth were injured in the stone pelting and admitted to hospital. The police vehicle too was damaged.

A bike parked near Panchavati was set on fire, which further worsened the situation. The shopkeepers in Kalladka and around immediately downed their shutters in fear. A Qualis car too was set on fire soon after.

District SP Dr Sharanappa S D arrived at the spot along with other higher officials and security was tightened. The Congress leaders who were part of the convention were sent safely back by the police. Though the situation has been brought under control, tight police security has been deployed in Kalladka, Melkar, BC Road and other places.

Police commissioner R Hitendra said that Section 144 has been imposed to prevent further trouble.