Mangaluru, Jul 17: A group of trouble-mongers owing allegiance to Sangh Parivar stormed a mosque on Friday morning at Kokkada village under the limits of Uppinangady police station in Dakshina Kannada district and assaulted a physically challenged youth before leaving the spot.
The attack took place at around 6 a.m. when only Kalanadar (27), a physically challenged local youth and few children were present in the Badria Juma Masjid. Others had left the mosque after praying Fajr namaz in congregation.
A 10-year-old boy, who was present inside the mosque during the attack, told Coastaldigest.com that the intruders pelted stones, damaged the notice board and assaulted Kalandar. “They also brandished a knife causing injuries to him,” he said, adding that within a couple of minutes the intruders fled the spot.
Local residents rushed the spot and shifted injured Kalandar to a hospital in Puttur. Hospital and family sources said that he has not sustained any major injuries.
A tense atmosphere prevailed in the village following the malevolent attack. A senior police officer told Coastaldigest.com that additional security forces were deployed in the village. “The situation is under control,” he said.
According to local residents, more than an hour before the attack a minor clash took place between a few local Muslim youths and a group of “immoral rowdies” belonging to Bajrang Dal, who were illegally patrolling in the village for last few nights.
“After suhoor (pre-dawn meal), we went to mosque to offer Fajr prayers. In front of the gate of the mosque the Bajrang Dal activists had parked a few motorbikes. When we requested them not to create problem for mosque goers, they threatened us,” said a middle aged man on condition of anonymity. He said that a verbal duel broke out between two groups and within a minute it turned into physical clash between two youths.
“We tried our best to control the situation. The Bajrang Dal activists too left the spot. However, after an hour they entered the mosque and created ruckus,” he said.
Abdulla, a local resident, who was harassed by the same vigilante group while walking towards mosque to offer Fajr prayers a couple of days ago, told Coastaldigest.com that under the pretext of preventing cattle transportation, the Bajrang Dal activists were harassing, abusing and threatening mosque goers.
When contacted, Dr Sharanappa S D, superintendent of police, DK, said that no one was authorized to patrol the area except police. He said that police would take necessary steps to prevent illegal patrolling and ambush by lawbreakers.
Jurisdictional Uppinangady Police have registered a case and launched an investigation. No arrest has been made yet.
Note: Dakshina Kannada Superintended of Police Dr Sharanappa SD has suggested media to use the term “immoral rowdies” for so called “moral police”.
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