Mr. Rehan, who owns a boat, shows a crew comprising Mogaveeras and Muslims — mostly residents of Kotepura — going out to sea in a fishing boat on Monday. “It is on mutual trust and understanding that we have been leading life in this region. It is the few mischievous elements on the either side who have been trying to create unrest here,” he says. There were around 20 boats at the dock in Kotepura. The residents of Mogaveerapatna — mostly Hindus — and residents of Kotepura and Ullal Kodi — mostly Muslims — have co-lived for ages.
Mr. Rehan had come down to Kotepura on Monday to resume fishing that had come to a standstill for four days following unrest in the area after a few houses were damaged and a 19-year-old boy was assaulted in Mogaveerapatna on the night of February 4.
For a long time, says activist K. Mohammed of Thokkottu, Mogaveeras have been coexisting with Kotepura and Ullal Kodi residents. “While Mogaveeras bring fish, it's the Kotepura residents who sell it. There have been clashes between young groups from the two communities in the past and it has not escalated,” he says and adds, “action should be taken against those spreading false news about damage to boats.”
Praveen Salian, whose house is one among three that was damaged on the night of February 4, also agrees. “We enjoy good relationship with Ullal Kodi and Kotepura residents. There are a few persons who are trying to disturb peace in the locality. Police should find such people than just rounding off innocents.” Mr. Salian says six minors from Mogaveerapatna, who were taken away by the police on the night of February 6, are unconnected to disturbance.
Father of Ibrahim Unnis, who is one among the 76 arrested by the police, says his son is innocent of stone throwing on February 6 night. “Ibrahim and my five other children are no way linked with people involved in disturbing peace in the area. Despite our pleading, police took away my son and other youngsters in the locality late on February 6 night. It was a traumatic night for many of us to see our children being taken away by police,” says the father.
Mangalore: Police Commissioner R. Hithendra said police have kept their search on to find persons involved in creating disturbance in Ullal.
Responding to allegations that there were many innocents in the 76 persons arrested following unrest, Mr. Hithendra said, “I assure that police will file chargesheet only against those we find evidence of involvement in attacks,” he said. Mr. Hithendra said police have arrested from a house in Bantwal two persons involved in the attacks. “We have got clues about other persons and we are searching them,” he said.
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