Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 9: Two disputed beef stalls located at Valapete, Thokottu, were found gutted on Saturday January 9.

Earlier, Ullal units of Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad had termed these two stalls as illegal.

They had alleged that the stalls were functioning illegally and had submitted petitions to municipal council president and Ullal police station on January 7 requesting to vacate them.

Miscreants set fire to the temporary sheds belonging to M C Bava, M C Khader and Hanif. The renovation of Thokkottu inner market is in progress at a brisk pace since the last one and half months. Therefore, the municipal council had asked traders in the market to shift their business. While several traders began their business on a private land at Thokottu inner market, those of beef stalls had erected their temporary sheds near the railway tracks on the land belonging to the department of railways. Several people had complained on the phone that the stalls pose a problem to public as those are in the open. But they had not lodged written complaints. The president of the municipal council had warned beef traders orally in this connection. Ullal municipal council commissioner Rayappa had opined that he was unable to issue a notice as the land belonged to the railways.

Bajrang Dal and VHP unit convener Arjun Madoor, district co convener Pavitra Kerebail, Prakhanda Gorkaksha Pramukh Rakshit Thokkottu and Kaushik Ullalbail had submitted a petition to municipal council president, municipal commissioner and police station inspector requesting to get the stall vacated.

Alternative arrangement in tents

Ullal municipal council president Chitra Chandrakanth who visited the spot said that business will be allowed in the same spot under tent. Discussions will be held with members of the council, vice president and traders to prevent inconvenience to others. The beef stall licence is not cancelled but is suspended, she said.

Vice president Ayub said that communal harmony will not be disturbed by such acts. People in Ullal should remain courageous without losing heart, he said.

Police commissioner visits

Police commissioner Shashikumar, DCP Hariram, and Ullal police inspector Sandeep M G visited the spot. Ullal police registered a case and began investigation.

‘We are conducting business since the last 45 years’

Beef stall owners said that they are conducting business since the last 40 to 45 years. “The licence was issued by the town panchayat. The municipal council has not made alternative arrangements while demolishing the old market. Other meat shops are provided alternative spots. A person on the way to dock informed about the fire,” said the beef stall owners.

'Prepared to hold protests if the miscreants are not nabbed'

Block Congress president Santhosh Shetty Asaigoli visited the spot of the incident. He said that the fire has destroyed the traders’ livelihood. “The suspects should be arrested within the next three days. Ullal block Congress will hold protests otherwise,” he said.

Ullal block Congress chief secretary Rehman Kodijal, Ullal block Congress minority unit president Alwyn D’ Souza, Someshwar block Congress president Kishore Gatty, Padmanabha Ullal, Richard Ullal, municipal councillor Ravichandra Gatty, Mangaluru Vidhan Sabha Intuc president Harish Rao, Youth Inctuc president Siddik, chief secretary Mukhtar, vice president Siraj, Tajuddin, Kotekar gram youth intuc president Asif and Niaz were present.