Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Jan 17: A day after communal clashes broke out in Karaya in Beltangady taluk, the district superintendent of police (SP) Dr Sharanappa on Saturday January 17 informed that Section 144 has been imposed in Karaya and the police have registered three suo motu cases.
Addressing a press meet at his office, the SP said that 30,000 people had participated in the Virat Hindu Hrudaya Sangama at Puttur on Friday January 16, and tight security was arranged after discussions with the organizers and leaders.
The stone-pelting incident took place at around 7.30 pm on Friday when the activists were returning from the convention. Within 21 minutes, the police made all arrangements to control the situation, with one ASI, a head constable, police personnel and home guard deployed at the spot. "Within ten minutes, the police mobile sector arrived at the spot. Additional SP and I too rushed to the spot along with rapid action force," the SP said.
Out of the three suo motu cases registered, one was against a group of 24 activists for attempting to cause riots, and two others for stone-pelting by the mob, the SP said.
"Twenty-four activists were coming from the convention carrying stones with them in a pickup truck. All the 24 were taken into custody for attempting to spark riots and a suo motu case was registered. They were later released on bail," he explained.
During the clashes, five policemen were injured, apart from 11 persons from the Muslim community and eight from the Hindu community, he said.
Elaborating on the police security deployed during the Hindu convention, he said, "Talks were held with officers, organizers and leaders and adequate security arrangements were done not only in Puttur but various other places especially in the sensitive areas. As many as 1,500 police personnel were deployed, including 12 KSRP, 10 DAR, one RAF, five anti-sabotage battalion, one bomb detection squad and 1,000 police personnel in civil clothes. Other arrangements like videography, security checks, check posts etc were also in place. We also visited and inspected lodges designated for the convention. I congratulate the people and the police department on this.
"As many as 1083 police staff were deployed not only in Puttur but in all sensitive places, and 31 mobile sectors were put up in the district, so that if any untoward incident took place, police could reach in 20 minutes," he said.
"We were successful in handling the situation on Friday. Within half an hour after the clashes broke out, the situation was brought under control and everything was cleared. After the clashes we had discussions with leaders of both the communities and they cooperated with us. The situation was normal today throughout the district," Dr Sharanappa said.
Also, 250 police personnel including four KSRP and four rapid action force personnel are currently deployed in Karaya, he said, adding that Section 144 will be in effect till the situation completely returns to normal.
Asked about the actual cause for the clashes and who incited it, he said, "It is very difficult to come to any conclusion now. Investigations are on."
Urging people to maintain calm, he said, "There are miscreants and anti-social elements who are involved in spreading rumours especially through mobile phones. No one should pay heed to rumours. People can contact me or the additional SP directly for clarification if they hear anything. Youth should be build the society in a constructive way."
He also assured that if anything untoward happens, it would be handled by the police department in an appropriate way.
On a question regarding the controversial banner of Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pragya in Puttur put up by Hindu Jagarana Vedike ahead of the Hindu Hrudaya Sangama, the SP said, "We have placed a petition and forwarded it to the local administration, but they did not remove the banner. We do not have the provision to remove it. Not only in this case, but in many places guidelines are not followed while putting up banners."