Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal

Bantwal, Aug 7: We have heard of instances where slip of the tongue has led to disastrous results. In Ira panchayat, however, it was slip of a chair that sparked off a brawl between the members, resulting in at least two persons being beaten up.

The incident took place during the meeting of Ira panchayat here on Thursday August 8. The meeting was held after a postponement about 15 days ago.

During the meeting, Harish Ira, a local, brought up the issue related to 18.15 acres of land at Kandattattu under Ira gram panchayat limits. He alleged that the ruling local Congress unit had illegally swallowed up the land that was meant for building shelters for the poor.

At this, taluk panchayat member Pushpalata Karkera and the president of Mudipi block Congress told him not to bring up the issue as it would lead to arguments and result in postponement of the meeting again, as it had happened 15 days ago.

After much exchange of words and repeated plea from the members to sit down, Harish Ira finally calmed down. When he was about to sit down, his chair accidentally moved and he fell.

Some of Harish's supporters, taken aback by his fall, mistook it for a deliberate push by the other party members and started protesting. The situation soon snowballed into a full-fledged brawl, with members of two groups arguing and thrashing each other.

In the process, Harish as well as an activist identified as Ibrahim were beaten up.

The situation came under control only after Bantwal police arrived at the spot and intervened. The parties, however, denied beating up anyone.