Daijiworld Media Network - Shimoga (SP)
Shimoga, Apr 11: Two crowds owing allegiance to the BJP and the Congress Party respectively fought a pitched battle over the stock of illegal liquor found in Ulavi village of Sorab taluk in the district. In the incident that took place at midnight on Thursday April 8, the gunman of food and civil supplies minister Haratal Halappa fired in the air. The policemen also resorted to lathi charge to disperse the violent mob.
The Congress leaders claim, they had proceeded to confiscate stock of illegal liquor hoarded at a rice mill by the BJP, when they were thwarted by the BJP workers. The Congress workers had rushed to 'Gajanana Rice Mill' owned by BJP taluk secretary Gangadhar Rao in that village, based on the information that huge quantity of liquor had been stocked in the backyard of the mill for being distributed among the prospective voters.
As soon as he came to know that a huge crowd had gathered at the rice mill, Halappa and other BJP workers who were returning from electioneering, rushed to the spot. The policemen too had arrived on the spot by then, based on a complaint. The verbal friction then worsened into fist fights. The policemen immediately caned the mob and sources said, even the gunman of the minister fired in the air.
Congress leaders K Manjunath and Nagappa Master were injured in the clashes. A car belonging to Ulavi gram panchayat president and some motor bikes were damaged. Kumar Bangarappa visited the spot on the morning of Friday and demanded investigation into the recovery of liquor. 34 boxes, 16 plastic bags and 750 bottles of liquor valued at around Rs 1.80 lac was recovered.
In the meantime, town panchayat president Manchi Somappa and BJP leader Nagesh Dongre have filed complaint and counter complaint with the policemen against each other, about the use of lethal arms and posing life threat. Cases have been filed against minister Halappa, his brother Manjappa and several others.
Minister Halappa clarified that his gunman fired in the air to save him from the Congress workers who were preparing to assault him. He said he had visited the home of Gajanan, taluk secretary for dinner and remained there till 11.30 pm on Thursday. He said he has no information about any recovery of liquor and accused Bangarappa and his sons of hatching a conspiracy to postpone the election. He demanded for the arrest of Kumar Bangarappa for trespassing into the house of Gajanan.
On the other hand, Shimoga Lok Sabha candidate Bangappa demanded for the arrest of minister Haratal Halappa and his supporters, alleging that the illegal liquor recovered from various places in Sorab taluk belonged to the BJP.
District Election Officer Pankaj Kumar Pandey confirmed that the illegal liquor recovered from Sorab belonged to the BJP. He said the stock of liquor was recovered from the premises owned by Gajanan and that legal action would be initiated against him. He also said legal action will also be taken against minister Haratal Halappa who was present on the occasion.