In Koppal: A Village Gripped by Silence and Sorrow

A haunting silence has enveloped Marakumbi village in Gangavati taluk, where families live side by side yet remain unable to speak due to profound grief. The air is thick with sorrow, and even brief encounters are marked by silent exchanges. The village, resembling a cemetery, is under police surveillance, a stark reminder of past conflicts.

On Friday, the atmosphere was heavy with memories of violence and caste tensions that erupted a decade ago, ignited by an incident at Gangavati’s Shiva Cinema. Recently, the District Court sentenced 98 of the 101 accused to life imprisonment, while three received five-year terms. The verdict has cast a shadow over the village, leaving families of the convicted engulfed in silence.

The streets are deserted, and a large police presence patrols the area, ensuring peace amid the palpable grief. Families waited outside the court, yearning for a glimpse of their loved ones being led away in police vehicles, but were met with heartbreak instead. Tearful goodbyes echoed as they waved farewell, their faces etched with despair.

Among the convicted, Ramanna Laxman Bhovi (40), who was sentenced to five years, tragically passed away in the district hospital on Friday morning. His wife, Kaveri, was inconsolable upon hearing the news, collapsing near the morgue as relatives tried to comfort her. The emotional scene highlighted the community’s collective sorrow.

As Ramanna’s body was brought back to Marakumbi in the evening, the ambulance siren pierced the air, signalling a deepening wave of grief. Neighbours and family members gathered, overwhelmed by the loss, as the village continued to bear the weight of its silent sorrow.