Mysuru: As many as 98 people have been arrested so far in connection with the communal clashes that occurred in and around Madikeri , Somwarpet, Virajpet and other places in Kodagu during Tipu Jayanthi.
Talking to Deccan Chronicle, Kodagu SP Vartika Katiyar said “Kodagu police had sealed the borders four to five days in advance (before November 10) and all the arrested and accused involved in the Kodagu riots during Tipu Jayanti were local residents. There were none from Kerala as alleged and this is evident from footage of CCTV cameras which are being thoroughly scrutinised. The entire series of events were recorded by surveillance cameras,” she said.
“We now have the clear picture of the whole incident. The details of the entire incident will be available in a week’s time,” Ms Katiyar said.
Death of Kuttappa due to fall, technically a murder as he was trying to escape: The death of 67-year-old VHP leader Kuttappa during Madikeri clash on November 10 was not due to any injury sustained due to stone pelting. Ms Katiyar said the postmortem report said that his death occurred due to injuries sustained as a result of the fall from the compound wall. “But we have registered a case of murder, since it is considered a murder. Technically it is murder since he suffered a fall and died while he was trying to escape,” she said.
Kuttappa’s son Daali had alleged that there was involvement of Popular Front of India (PFI) and Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD) in his father’s death but the officer refused to divulge any information on that.
Asked about the allegations by Daali that the police had not checked the vehicles of the people who were heading to participate in the Tipu Jayanti, Ms Vartika denied the charges.
Magisterial probe in Kodagu postponed to November 30
The magisterial inquiry into the Madikeri clash during Tipu Jayanthi on November 10 of this month, which was scheduled to be held on Thursday, has been postponed to November 30. Mysuru DC C Shikha who is conducting the inquiry had invited eye witnesses to the death of 67-year-old Kuttappa, a native of Iglodu in Somwarpet taluk and other events that took place on November 10 to furnish information along with evidence. As many as 37 people had registered to provide evidence on November 25.
The inquiry has been postponed due to emergency works related to elections to the Legislative Council following the announcement of the schedule by Election Commission of India. She has already conducted the inquiry on two days. Meanwhile, the prohibitory orders issued under section 144 of IPC, after the riots during Tipu Jayanthi at Kodagu have been extended till November 30.
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