Bhatkal: Stones were allegedly pelted at a mosque during a Ganesh idol immersion procession in Bhatkal, Karnataka, on Wednesday night, prompting the police to deploy additional personnel in the area and launch an investigation. Several window panes of the mosque were reportedly damaged in the incident.
The incident took place in the Gulmi area of Bhatkal in Uttara Kannada district, along the road leading towards the railway station. According to police and reports citing PTI, the Ganesh immersion procession had begun from Talaand at around 10 pm and was proceeding towards a canal when unidentified persons allegedly threw stones at Masjid-e-Ismail, located along the procession route.
Police reached the spot after receiving information and took steps to bring the situation under control. A case has been registered against unidentified persons, while some individuals were taken to the police station for questioning as part of the investigation.
Mosque window panes damaged
The stone-pelting allegedly caused damage to several window panes of the mosque. Another report citing the complaint filed with Bhatkal Town Police said that an adjoining Arabic madrasa was also affected and two window panes were damaged. Police are examining the available evidence to establish what happened and identify those responsible.
The incident occurred while the Ganesh idol immersion procession was passing through the Gulmi Railway Station Road. Reports said the procession had crossed the Gulmi railway bridge and was moving towards the railway station when the alleged stone-pelting took place.
At this stage, police have not publicly identified the persons who allegedly threw the stones. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
Crowd gathers outside Bhatkal police station
Following the incident, news of the alleged stone-pelting spread through the town, after which a large number of people gathered outside Bhatkal Town Police Station seeking action against those responsible.
Police officials held discussions with the gathering and assured residents that the incident would be investigated and that legal action would be taken based on the evidence. A report citing the police said the gathering later dispersed following the assurance.
Uttara Kannada Superintendent of Police Deepan MN reached Bhatkal from Karwar after being informed about the incident. He visited the affected area, reviewed the situation and appealed to people to maintain peace.
Senior police officers, including the Bhatkal ASP, were also present in the area and were monitoring developments.
Additional police deployed in sensitive areas
Police have increased security in Bhatkal following the incident. Additional personnel have been deployed near the spot as well as at other sensitive locations as a precautionary measure.
The deployment is aimed at preventing any further disturbance and ensuring that ongoing Ganesh festival activities and immersion processions take place peacefully.
Police are continuing their investigation and are examining available evidence, including CCTV footage, according to reports. The authorities are expected to identify those responsible after analysing the evidence and information collected during the investigation.
The police have also urged residents to maintain peace and avoid actions that could disturb law and order while the investigation is underway.
Incident comes amid Ganesh immersion processions
The incident comes during the ongoing Ganesh festival in Karnataka, when idol installation and immersion programmes are being conducted across the state.
Authorities in several districts have made additional security arrangements around immersion routes and locations identified as sensitive. In Udupi district, for instance, police had earlier announced enhanced security for Ganesh Chaturthi, including additional personnel, surveillance and designated immersion routes.
Police had also conducted peace committee meetings involving Ganeshotsava organisers and community representatives in Udupi and issued directions for processions to follow designated routes and avoid provocative slogans or unlawful activities.
The Bhatkal incident has therefore prompted increased attention to security arrangements in the area as the festival and immersion activities continue.
Police investigation underway
Officials have so far registered a case against unidentified persons in connection with the alleged stone-pelting. No accused has been publicly identified in the reports reviewed for this article.
The police investigation will determine the circumstances leading to the damage and establish who was responsible. Until the investigation is completed, the identities and motives of those involved remain unconfirmed.
Police officials said the situation in Bhatkal had returned to normal after the incident, while additional forces continued to remain deployed as a precautionary measure.
The authorities have appealed for calm and said legal action would be taken against those found responsible based on the investigation.