Chikmagalur, December 14: Seven persons including a police inspector sustained injuries as a bundh called by pro-Hindu outfits turned violent in Aldur near here on Tuesday.
The Gram Panchayat of Aldur had resolved to construct a circle named after Ambekdar by removing the Bhagwa Dhwaj ‘katte’ (platform) on the main road.
Hindu outfits opposed the plan and insisted that the circle be constructed by retaining the platform. Some members of the outfits staged a protest on Monday when the authorities attempted to remove the platform. The police arrested 23 persons and later released them.
Pro-Hindu organisations had called for an Aldur bundh in protest against the arrests on Tuesday. The protesters took out a march and burnt the effigies of Gram Panchayat vice-president and a member, accusing them of adopting “anti-Hindu” policy. They hoisted the saffron flag at the spot in dispute.
Stone throwing
Soon, members of Dalit organisations resorted to throw stones at the protesters and the latter retaliated. Superintendent of Police Vikas Kumar lathicharged the crowd to control the situation. Parameshwarappa, an ASI attached to Aldur police station, four mediamen and two Bajrang Dal activists sustained injuries in the incident. Prakash, a reporter of a local daily, sustained grievous injuries and was shifted to Shimoga for treatment.
More than 25 persons including the president and vice president of the gram panchayat have been arrested. Police platoons have been deployed in Aldur.
Pro-Hindu activists set tyres on fire on Balehonnur Road.?A mob tried to torch a KSRTC bus on Mudigere Road. The conductor, a woman and her child sustained injuries as miscreants threw stones on the bus.
Comments
Add new comment