Kundapur, Nov 29: Communal tensions intensified in Gangolli village of Kundapur taluk after a commercial complex owned by a Masjid committee was set on fire by miscreants in the wee hours of Saturday.
At least six shops were completely destroyed due to the outbreak of fire. The losses suffered have been estimated at around Rs 2 crores.
Eight shops were located in the one-storied Jamia Complex in Gangolli. A paint shop, a cloth shop, hardware shop and a plywood shop were located on the ground floor while a gift shop, two hardware-cum-plywood shops and a tailor's shop were on the first floor.
According to the police, the fire began in the building around 1.30 p.m. The paint shop and the cloth shop suffered major damage in the fire, while the remaining four shops had minor damages. Fire tenders rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control.
Gangolli had seen a clash between two groups of youth belonging to different communities on Thursday.
P. Rajendra Prasad, Superintendent of Police, said that the paint shop, where the fire was noticed, had shutters locked from outside and had no ventilation.
Forensic experts from Mangaluru have reached Gangolli and examined the spot. “It is only after investigation by the forensic experts that the exact cause for fire can be ascertained,” police sources said.
Meanwhile, police security has been beefed up in Gangolli. Two units of Karnataka State Reserve Police, four units of District Armed Reserve Police and 10 police officers had been pressed into service in the village.
Comments
Add new comment