Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, Jan 23: Karnataka Souharda Vedike (Forum for Communal Harmony), Udupi unit has submitted a memorandum to the Karnataka home minister K J George through the Udupi SP regarding the recent disturbances in Gangolli and urged the state government to take steps to bring about communal harmony.
The forum also made a copy of the memorandum available to the media during a protest against the Gangolli incident on Wednesday January 22.
The memorandum stated that the protest is against the failure of the government in maintaining an atmosphere of peaceful coexistence. They urged the state government to take appropriate action which will allow the people to live in peace.
The memorandum further stated that the police had taken action against the accused in fights among two groups on November 28, 2014 but release them on bail. "The property in the Jamia Masjid Complex was set on fire. The Muslim community held peaceful protests urging for legal action against the suspects. The district police identified an accused and arrested him. In response to this, Hindu organizations in thousands gathered on November 11 and blocked the national highway and tried to take law into their hands.
"The district administration bowed to the pressure tactics applied by the protesters and released the accused on bail. The organizations brought the released person to Gangolli and gave speeches challenging the law. The Muslim community was scared and submitted a memorandum requesting the home ministry to strengthen taluk level administration in maintaining peaceful atmosphere," stated the memorandum.
"It appears that the home ministry has not taken any action. A shop was set on fire in Gangolli on January 20. The police officials came immediately to take action against the suspects. The members of the majority community gathered in thousands, closed the shops and protested. They also hurled stones on houses of innocents and shops. They also tried to forcibly enter houses. When the minority community tried to defend itself the situation got out of control and snowballed into fights. After the incident, 13 persons of the minority community were arrested without bail," the memorandum states.
"The groups have been threatening minorities and indulging in violence," the memorandum stated, adding that it was the responsibility of the home minister to see that law and order is maintained.