Yogesh Pawar / NDTV - Pic Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Oct 12: More than a week after violence killed two people and injured 30 others, the curfew has been lifted in Mangalore.

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy termed police brutality as an unavoidable fallout of the effort to restore normalcy.

He described the situation as a ''mere communal clash'', which does not merit a judicial probe.

Kumaraswamy was reacting to NDTV's special report on police brutalities in certain localities.

The Chief Minister is on a visit to Mangalore for some damage control. He also visited some of the injured in hospital.

Living in fear

Calm may have returned to the town but much of it is on the surface as residents are still in shock.

President of a committee of Muslim community leaders, Al Haj Mehmood Masoodi believes the violence had a clear political edge.

The riots were sparked when Bajrang Dal activists stopped a truck carrying cattle to a slaughterhouse.

"The Muslims are living in fear. There is a perception that they can be attacked again because the BJP is ruling and the Hindutva organizations can have a free hand," said Masoodi.

Trading charges

The BJP however, has denied the charge and says that the Opposition is trying to stoke fires by encouraging Muslims to take to the streets. It lays the blame for the tension entirely on what it calls are misguided Muslims.

"The media has been trying to blame the BJP without any proof. Some Hindutva organisations have reacted but the Muslims were indulging in cow slaughter. They are trying to take over the shrine in Chikamagalur. Why should we keep quiet?" said Captain Ganesh Karnik, MLC, BJP.

Rich history

The polarisation has shocked those who know Mangalore's history.

Historian M Prabhu pointed out how Muslims have lived in harmony with other communities even before Hyder Ali took over the city in 1763.

Locals not only welcomed Yemenese and Arab traders who came for the South's silk, spices and coffee but were open to cultural and religious influences too.

"Muslims have been around in Mangalore for over 1500 years. They were part of the trading community. Under the British they used to bring coconuts and dry fish even from Lakshadweep islands, some of which then came under the South Kanara district. It is hence disturbing to see how some fanatics are trying to destroy this," said Dr M Prabhu.

Whether this polaristion has been brought in from outside and whether politics in the state is fanning it are questions that will pester many in the days ahead.

But one thing is for sure that peace and harmony have taken a beating and Mangalore will never be the same again.