Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Feb 22: MP and BJP leader Nalin Kumar Kateel on Thursday February 22 held Congress responsible for the group clash that took place in Kasba Bengre wherein youths returning from BJP national president Amit Shah's Udupi programme were allegedly attacked.
Addressing a press meet here on Thursday February 22, Nalin Kateel alleged, "After the successful visit of BJP national president Amit Shah to the coastal region, a frustrated Congress is trying to start communal disturbances in the district. The incident at Kasba Bengre is an example of this.
"Before Amit Shah's visit, the Congress had widely spread a message that if he came here, communal violence may erupt. But nothing happened and Amit Shah's three-days visit made a positive impact on the people of the district. Now there are suspicions that Congress is plotting these types of incidents to blame Amit Shah and project it as a result of his visit to the district."
Referring to the statements on the incident by MLA J R Lobo, the MP said, "By blaming the BJP members who went to Amit Shah's programme, the local MLA is trying to protect the culprits. He is arguing that the slogan raised by BJP members led to the violence. I want to tell him - this is not Pakistan. Here we can say 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' anywhere. Without knowing anything about the incident, the MLA in a press meet made allegations against the BJP. Being a loyal representative, he should try to maintain peace in the region where violence has erupted. But he is pouring oil on fire.
"I too visited Bengre and spoke to leaders of both the communities. They want peace and are not interested in fighting with each other. They unitedly alleged that a big ganja mafia exists in Kasba Bengre. There are many illegal residents too. Because of these anti-social elements, peace and harmony is threatened in the area. The residents also requested to nab these anti-social elements without delay. But the MLA is mum on these issues. He never talks against ganja mafia and illegal residents," he alleged.
He further alleged, "There was pressure put on the hospital staff where the injured BJP members were admitted. Despite major injuries, the hospital staff did not treat them seriously. They considered them as ordinary patients. All these happenings have proved that Congress and its ministers are behind the communal violences, and before the election they are trying to divide the society on religious lines."
District BJP president Sanjeev Matandoor, district general secretory Capt Brijesh Chowta, former MLC Monappa Bhandary and others were present.