Mangaluru: Tensions eased in Dharmasthala on Friday following a turbulent Thursday that witnessed clashes between groups, protests, and police action. In the wake of disturbances, authorities enhanced police presence across sensitive zones, including the Netravathy bathing ghat, Pangala Road, and nearby areas. Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) platoons were also deployed as an added precaution.

Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged mass burials in Dharmasthala halted its exhumation work on Thursday. Instead, officials focused on documenting findings and compiling reports from the 10-day-long excavation process. Puttur Assistant Commissioner Stella Varghese, who had been involved in the fieldwork, returned from Beltangady without visiting the final (13th) site listed by the complainant-witness.

Sources within SIT confirmed that DGP Pronab Mohanty, head of the probe, held closed-door meetings to plan the next phase of the investigation.

Clashes and Arrests:

In connection with the Wednesday evening assault on a YouTuber near Pangala Cross, 50-year-old Somanath Sapalya was arrested from Kokkada and remanded to 14-day judicial custody by a Beltangady court.

Police reported registering seven cases across Dharmasthala and Beltangady stations:

  • A suo moto case was filed after a mild lathi charge was used to disperse two unlawfully assembled groups at Pangala Cross.

  • Another suo moto FIR addressed the unauthorized dharna staged in front of Dharmasthala Police Station.

  • A case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was filed following a complaint by Pramod Kumar Shetty, who alleged he was attacked by a mob of over 40 individuals.

  • Beltangady police registered additional cases based on complaints from both a TV reporter and a counter-complaint by Ganesh Shetty, who alleged verbal abuse of activists Girish Mattanavar and Mahesh Shetty Thimarody.

  • A final suo moto case was lodged against those who illegally gathered near a private hospital in Ujire.

    • Authorities have assured that strict action will be taken against those responsible for the unrest, and security measures remain in place to prevent further flare-ups.