Kalladka limps back to normalcy: Cops among 11 injured, prohibitory orders imposed, no arrests yet

Mangalore, Mar 9: At least 11 people were injured in the violent clashes that erupted in Kalladka after a group of Hindutva activists created ruckus at programme organized by Congress to promote harmony on Saturday. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 were imposed on the entire Bantwal taluk for three days.

A four-wheeler was set ablaze while two-wheelers were also damaged. Bantwal Station Sub Inspector Sanjay Kumar, who tried to prevent the clash, was injured after a stone hit him. He has been admitted to a private hospital in Mangalore. Sources said that at least 11 persons were injured including three policemen.

Violence erupted in the harmony convention when Zilla Panchayat member Chandraprakash Shetty, in his introductory remarks, criticised RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat 's alleged attempts to trigger communal riot in the region through provocative speeches.

Meanwhile, a group of activists from Sangh Pariwar targeted the peace meet and began throwing stones and bottles on the venue, as well as the highway. Party workers also retaliated. The incident occurred in the presence of district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai.

The police, deployed in small numbers on the spot, failed to control the situation immediately. They tried to disperse the crowd by resorting to mild lathicharge and lobbed tear gas shells. Amid this violence, a vehicle was set on fire. The highway was blocked for sometime because of the violence.

Police Commissioner R Hitendra said that no arrests were made. “The situation is under control now. We have started the process of listing down the names of those involved in the attack and they will be arrested soon,” he said.

Additional superintendent of police T P Shivakumar said police have imposed prohibitory orders across Bantwal taluk for three days. Adequate bandobast has been done in the area, he added. Bantwal circle police inspector Rajshekar B Maistry said three police personnel, including a PSI, were injured in stone pelting.

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