Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 11: A person who threw stones when the Kola of Swami Koragajja was in progress at Thokkottu Junction was caught hold of by the crowd which thrashed him before handing him over to the police. The incident happened during the late night hours on Saturday April 10.

The arrested accused has been identified as Muhammad Hafiz from Kody, Ullal. Sources said that was in a state of intoxication. The devotees who were present at the religious programme beat the man up before he was turned over to the police.

Thokkottu Swami Koragajja Seva Samiti had been organizing the annual Kola regularly in the past. After a long gap, this year, they had held the Kola on Saturday April 10. Many had attended the Kola.

After the Kola concluded, when the Agelu Prasadam was being distributed, Hafiz started to throw stones at the crowd from atop a nearby roof. One of the stones also fell on the vehicle of Ullal station house officer. Immediately a group of devotees went up the spot from where the man was, thrashed him, and then handed him over to Ullal police.

Some locals said that several people are opposed to the construction of the platform (Katte) dedicated to Koragajja here. They said that the chances of these people having given money to the said person who was intoxicated, and encouraged him to throw stones at the crowd.