Man attacked by gang of 50; saffron outfit justifies brutality; threatens of widespread communal violence

Bhatkal, October 3: In what can be termed as the height of brutality, a gang of around 50 miscreants apparently belonging to a Hindutva outfit waylaid an empty mini lorry on NH-17 at Sarpanakatta check post on the outskirts of the town, and mercilessly beat up the driver and two others, belonging to a minority community.

The severely injured driver, identified as Rahamatullah M. Hussein of Venkatapur in Bhatkal taluk, has been admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Manipal. The other two occupants of the mini lorry, who managed to escape from the evil hands with injuries, have been identified as Ahmed and Sauood.

The terrorising mob also attacked two on-duty constables - Ashok Venkataramana Gaonkar and Babu Patagar - who tried to prevent the miscreants after confirming that the lorry was empty and the allegations that the lorry was involved in cow trafficking was false.

Explaining the horrible experience he undergone, the injured constable Mr Gaonkar in his complaint to Bhatkal rural police mentioned that the attackers were the activists of Hindu Jagarana Vedika (HJV).

He said that on Saturday night the miscreants all of a sudden waylaid the mini lorry, dragged its driver out and began to assault him mercilessly alleging him of cow trafficking.

They also tried to destroy the empty vehicle completely and burn the check post, said the injured constable. “When we tried to prevent them, they also attacked us”, he added.

Five HJS activists identified as Sharath Masthappa Naik , Hanumant Naik , Anand Naik , Dinesh Moger, Ganesh Naik, all local residents, have been arrested by the police in connection with the attack, and produced in the court. Police are hunting for two more accused.

Tension gripped

A tense atmosphere prevailed across the Bhatkal town soon after the incident. However, timely intervention of police prevented the situation going out of control.

M. Narayan D. SP, Shivaprrakash Naik PSI and Naveen Kumar Jogi PSI arrived on the spot with the police and tightened the security.

Krishnaiah, Deputy Commissioner of Uttara Kannada district paid a visit to the Bhatkal and urged the people to maintain peace. He also held separate meetings with the leaders of minority community and saffron outfits.

HJV justification

Meanwhile, in a provocative statement to the media, leaders of HJV, not only justified the assault carried out by their associates, but also threatened of the reoccurrence of widespread communal violence in Bhatkal.

Addressing a media conference in the town on Sunday, Govind Naik, North Karnataka convener of HJV admitted that the attackers were the activists of his organisations.

Terming the brutal act as the struggle for a noble cause of protecting cow, Naik demanded the police to immediately withdraw the cases registered against HJV activists and release the arrested.

“If the police tried to suppress the Hindus, then the situation of the 1993, when the Bhatkal town witnessed prolonged communal violence, may recur”, he warned.