Bengaluru/Mangaluru: The police in the city and the state have tightened security to prevent untoward incidents related to the simmering communal tension over Tipu Sultan’s Jayanti. Meanwhile one more person succumbed to injuries sustained during the clashes at Madikeri. The deceased has been identified as Suhail Hameed and was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mysuru.
Security has been beefed up in regions identified to be communally sensitive. “Several companies of the central force and personnel from the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and the City Armed Reserves (CAR) were deployed to maintain law and order across the state. Though some minor incidents were reported, it was overall peaceful and our men did a good job in maintaining peace and tranquility across the state,” Alok Mohan, ADGP Law & Order, currently in Madikeri, told Deccan Chronicle. “We have imposed Section 144 all over Madikeri until Sunday and everything is peaceful here,” he added.
The ADGP himself is monitoring law and order in Madikeri, a day after a VHP leader Kuttappa died in an incident of stone pelting during a protest over Tipu Sultan Jayanti. “We are keeping a strict vigil on the possible trouble makers and as of now everything is in control in Madikeri,” Alok Mohan said.
Security was beefed up in Madikeri in Kodagu, Mysuru, Mangaluru and Belagavi, Tumakuru, Mandya, and Srirangapatina. Though there were several instances of agitations and road blocks throughout the state, there were no major incidents, said another senior police officer. All SPs and DCPs have been instructed to step up security in their respective jurisdictions. The investigation into the Madikeri incident is being conducted by the SP and an IGP rank officer.
Commenting on the different dates of Tipu Jayanti celebrated, the ADGP said, “The district administration will decide on the dates of celebration of Tipu Jayanti in different regions throughout the state and the police department is entitled to provide security arrangements for the same.”
Komu Vedike protests in city
Over 60 activists belonging to the Karnataka Komu Souharda Vedike (KKSV) staged a protest in front of Town Hall condemning the divisive politics played by BJP and Sangh Parivar in the name of Tipu Sultan and the recent incident in Madikeri to disrupt communal harmony. “It’s all there in the history about Tippu Sultan and nobody can rewrite and propagate it according to their whims and fancies. It’s a ploy of divisive politics played by the BJP and RSS to disrupt communal harmony in the society,” said Gowri, a central committee member KKSV.
“We have doubts on the death of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Kuttappa in Madikeri, who is said to have died of stone pelting. We came to know that he was rushed to the hospital after he fell from the stairs. Authorities should probe his death. The VHP supporters are using his death to spread communal hatred and violence across the state. They were blocking roads and protesting in Tumakuru, Mandya, Srirangapatina and various other areas. There was an unannounced bundh in Belagavi,” said Mutturaju, a member from KKSV.
Vokkaligara Sangha flays Karnad
Around 30 to 40 members from the Vokkaligara Sangha staged a protest against the statements of Jnanapith awardee Girish Karnad on Wednesday before the taluk office in Devanahalli and handed over a memorandum to the Tahasildar. The agitators condemned Girish Karnad over his statement of renaming the Kempegowda International Airport to Tippu Sultan International Airport. The agitation lasted for half an hour starting 12 noon with police security cover.
Girish Karnad
Complaint against Karnad
Close on the heels of Jnanapith awardee Girish Karnad’s apologies on Wednesday after making a controversial statement on renaming Kempegowda International Airport to Tipu Sultan International Airport on Tuesday, a police complaint was registered against the author by human rights activists at the Vidhana Soudha police station. The complaint was lodged as the author by his statements had allegedly hurt the sentiments of a certain section of the community.
Confirming the complaint lodged by one Girish Gowda, the police have forwarded it to its legal team to decide on the course of action. “If one renders a statement of sorts, there is no provision in the law to prosecute them by the police, however we are studying its legalities and depending on our seniors’ orders, we will pursue with the plaint,” said an officer.
Karnad on Tuesday had said the Kempegowda International Airport should be renamed Tipu Sultan International Airport as Tipu was a freedom fighter. As Kempegowda was a visionary responsible for the development of Bengaluru, the airport should be ideally named after Tipu, Karnad had said. On Wednesday, though he apologised for his statements stating that he was sorry if he had hurt the sentiments of a certain section of the community, he never withdrew or retracted his statement.
Concern over rise in gang rivalries in Mangaluru
Activists have raised concerns over gang rivalry attacks in the region in the recent days, which they feel in the future could take communal colour in the district. In a memorandum submitted to the CM, Karnataka Komu Souhardha Vedike district unit has sought action against those who tried to breach peace that led to the death of two persons during Tipu Jayanthi.
The memorandum also raised concern that gang rivalries in the coastal districts have communal background. “Such murders due to gang rivalries should not be neglected as it may lead to communal flare ups in the future,” Suresh Bhat told Deccan Chronicle.
“Looking at all these developments (violence on Tipu Jayanthi and murders due to gang rivalries) I feel it is a signal for future communal flare ups. The region is always on the boil and one small incident could result in communal tension,” he said. “There are allegations that the murder of two in the prison was retaliation for the murder of flower vendor at Moodabidri,” he said.
“It is alleged that underworld elements have nexus with political parties. At present it might be just murders due to gang rivalry but in future some such incident could gain communal color finally leading to communal tension in the region. Thus it is important to take strict action to ensure that situation does not go beyond control,” he said. “Thus we have added this in our memorandum to the CM,” he added.
Gang rivalry has resulted in about 6 murders took place in past one month in the city limits. Of about 8 rowdy attacks in the year, five took place in one month! The double murder in the prison has further shocked the people.
“After the arrest of Bannanje Raja and Chota Rajan, some elements might be trying to drag attention and try to show their strength in underworld and increase their holds over the local gangs. This could be one reason for the increase in gang fights. The other could be because the police had concentrated on various other cases like Prashanth Poojary murder. These elements might have tried to increase their activity thinking it to be an apt time,” a senior police officer said. However police department is confident of bringing situation under control.
“It is true that more number of gang clashes have taken place in last one month. But if we look at the statistics of the year such criminal incidents are less compared to other years. However we are confident of curbing such incidents,” City Police Chief S. Murugan assured Deccan Chronicle.
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