Mangaluru, Nov 14: In wake of the communal tension that erupted in Kodagu district over Tipu Jayanti celebration and violence in Bantwal taluk following the murder of a youth on Thursday night, the atmosphere in Dakshina Kannada on Friday was one of apprehension and anxiety over possibility of fresh communal violence in the district.
Although prohibitory measures were clamped in the district, Mangaluru and other parts of the coastal district remained tensed expecting spurts of violence despite heavy security arrangements by the police department.
On Friday all shops and petrol pumps remained closed in Mangaluru and residents hesitated to venture outside in fear of being targeted by fringe outfits or random miscreants in the streets.
According to a bank employee Kanchan, a large number of other employees failed to turn up for work on Friday fearing their safety from fringe groups or untoward incidents in the area, forcing the bank branch to close for the day. "Although there have been strikes in the past, people were not this reluctant to come to work fearing group clashes before," he disclosed.
Petrol pumps also remained closed even after evening hours for the same reason. Vehicles owners too, hesitated venturing in their vehicles in fear of being targeted.
A school teacher Akshatha said that daily occurring incidents of violence had created a sense of fear among people. Earlier, people were living in fear of the British in our country, now the situation is such that people live in fear of their own community members. Failure of police forces in preventing such violence has added to the unease among people, she said.
A resident of Maddadka in Belthangady Kavya (name changed) opined that communal tension had worsened in the district in the last few years. It has worsened to the extent that people are forced to think twice while getting into a conversation with members of other religions. Mangalureans who are residing in other parts of the country or abroad are unwilling to shift to their hometown thanks to growing communal tension. The district is no more a peaceful place it was earlier. Looking at the last few incidents, it appears that the violence will only escalate if those responsible are not tackled properly, she said.
Akshay, a resident of Moodbidri, said that he was shocked at the rate the violence was escalating. He opines that the police department and politics were the main reason for the escalating violence. People also should not heed to rumours in such instances, he said.
Pamela, a BPO employee, says her family is repenting for leaving Goa and setting in Mangaluru two years ago. “We are frustrated. We are planning to settle in Dubai or go back to Goa. Mangaluru is not a safe place for peace lovers,” said the 25-year-old unmarried girl.
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