Shivamogga: A tense situation was witnessed in the Shivamogga district after Nagesh, a 28-year-old Bajrang Dal activist was attacked by a four-member gang of a minority community on Thursday morning.
Nagesh, a resident of Ashok Nagar, was reportedly attacked by four bike-borne youths as he was moving towards the Nehru Stadium and sustained injuries on his nose. he was rushed to a private hospital for treatment and is out of danger.
The attack apparently led to a scuffle in Chore Bazar, where three merchants were attacked by a group of miscreants. Chore Bazar is predominantly run by a minority community in the city. Stores and markets were shut down to ensure the safety of shoppers owing to the tense situation that ensued after the two incidents.
After the attack on Nagesh, parked rickshaws were damaged by miscreants and a fight even broke out between two groups belonging to different religions in Azar Nagar of the city.
Superintendent of Police Shantaraju visited the Gandhi Bazar, KR Puram Road and Ashoka Nagar areas to take stock of the situation and asked the people to maintain peace. Security in the area was also beefed up in the areas following the incidents.
According to ASP Shekhar Naik, the attack was communal in nature, but the situation is under control. “No arrests have been made,” he added.
Eastern Range IGP S Ravi visited Shivamogga after the incident.
Speaking to the media after inspecting the scene, IGP Ravi urged the public to not pay any heed to rumours.
After the incident, Bajarang Dal activists gathered and denied any involvement in the incidents.
Two platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police have been deployed in Amir Ahmad Colony and Lashkar Mohalla to defuse the situation.
Update:
Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed in the jurisdictional areas of the Doddapete, Kote and Tunga Nagar Police Stations. The prohibitory orders will continue till Saturday, December 5.
Meanwhile, state home minister Basavaraj Bommai has directed the Davanagere IG to report to Shivamogga immediately. He also informed that Minister Eshwarappa and Raghavendra will conduct a meeting with the people to defuse the situation. “I have asked the IG and SP to take all necessary steps depending on the situation,” he added.
