Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jun 26: Chaos prevailed outside Ullal Dargah near here on Monday June 26 as people gathered to offer Eid Namaz. As situation turned worse, police had to resort to mild lathi charge to disperse the mob.
Ullal Qazi Koora Tangal had declared that Eid-ul-Fitr marking the culmination of the holy month of Ramadan would be celebrated at Ullal Dargah on Monday instead of Sunday June 25 as had been declared by Qazis of Mangaluru, Udupi and Bhatkal. Even the assistant Qazi of Ullal had declared that Eid would be celebrated on Sunday, and accordingly, Eid prayers were held in various mosques in Ullal, except four mosques.
As per the Qazi's instructions, members of the Muslim community gathered at Ullal Dargah, but the Dargah administrative committee locked the Dargah's doors and did not allow the people to offer Eid Namaz, it is said.
A group of worshippers led by Khateeb of Millat Nagar Shihab Saqafi came to the central Juma Masjid to offer Eid Namaz. As the door of the mosque was found to be locked, chaos erupted. The people gathered outside the Dargah and staged a flash protest.
The group of protestors attacked a member of the administrative committee as well as a youth who was visiting the Dargah.
A group of around 30 people caught hold of Dargah administrative committee member Mohammed Alekala and assaulted him. When a person named Mohammed Rizwan tried to intervene and stop the mob, he too was assaulted.
The Ullal police who rushed to the spot admitted the injured to hospital. The police also resorted to mild lathi charge to disperse the crowds.
Thereafter, talks were held with the administrative committee and the door was opened, after which worshippers were allowed to offer Namaz. For a second day in a row, Eid Namaz was thus offered.
DCP Hanumantharaya, ASP Shruthi, inspector Gopikrishna and other police personnel deployed tight security.
Two attempt-to-murder cases, and a case related to illegal entry and damage to properties have registered in Ullal police station.