CHIKKAMAGALURU: Some policemen on security duty in Chikkamagaluru town for the Datta Jayanthi celebrations had a narrow escape after a few miscreants hurled a petrol bomb at them in Tamil Colony of Chikkamagaluru town on Sunday night at around 10.30 pm.
No injuries were reported in the attack and later on, police recovered five petrol bombs.
The incident is said to have occurred when Superintendent of Police K. Annamalai and other police officials were on patrol duty in the town after rumours spread that a man was murdered. On learning about the rumours, Mr Annamalai rushed from Bababudangiri Hills to Chikkamagaluru and supervised the security arrangements. While on patrol duty, miscreants hurled a petrol bomb at them which luckily missed the target.
Police found that the petrol bomb was made using a discarded glass bottle filled with petrol and covered with cloth. Such petrol bombs are said to be in use in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and also in Russia. The miscreants who hurled the petrol bomb at the policemen are said to be in the age group of 15-18 year.
Chikkamagaluru police have taken into custody 13 persons in this connection. Among those in police custody are 9 youth including four minors.
Regarding the violence during Datta Jayanthi celebrations, Mr Annamalai said 32 people had been taken into custody.
The concluding day of Datta Jayanti organized by Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishat for three days from Friday, came to an end on Sunday and witnessed an unruly mob targeting policemen leading to a tense atmosphere.
On several occasions, police had to resort to a mild lathicharge to disperse the mob.
Even at Dattatreya Swami Dargah at Bababudangiri Hills, the police had to resort to a lathicharge after a few pro-Hindu outfit members hoisted the saffron flag leading to tense moments before police intervention brought the situation under control.
