Karwar: The situation in Honnavar town of Uttar Kannada district turned worse following the death of a right wing activist. Tension prevailed in the town after communal clashes erupted few days ago.
Schools,colleges in Karki,Haldipur and Kasarkod areas of the town remained shut on December 8
Business transactions, bus services and other vehicular traffic were severely affected as the town observed self-proclaimed bandh following clashes.
The body of the missing right wing activist Paresh Kamalakara Mestha, a resident of Thulisinagar in the town, was found in a lake behind Shani temple on Friday. His death forced the situation to deteriorate further.
Around 10000 people waving pro-India slogans carrying saffron flags marched along the streets, carrying the body of the deceased activist wrapped in saffron flags. Some of the marchers shouted slogans against other community, state government and police during the procession.
Local MLA Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri, MP Shobha Karandlaje, former minister Sivananda Naik, former MLAs J D Nayak, Yashodhara Nayak and other BJP leaders too participated in the procession for a short time.
IGP Hemanth Nimbalkar and Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner S S Nakul camped on the spot to oversee security operations. The town turned into a fortress with thousands of policemen stationed to provide foolproof security to prevent further untoward incidents.
