Attack on PFI rally leads to communal violence, one killed, several injured

Shivamogga, Feb 20: A youth was killed and many others seriously injured in a violent incident that occurred on the outskirts of Shivamogga in the aftermath of communal clashes erupted between Hindu and Muslim groups during the unity march taken out by the cadres of Popular Front of India (PFI) on Thursday.

A group of armed persons attacked three youths who were heading towards Shivamogga from Tirthahalli on a motorbike near Gajnur. Vishwanath (32), who was injured in the attack, died.

Earlier, the police resorted to lathi charge to bring the situation under control. Following incidents of arson and stone pelting, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code were clamped in the city limits till Saturday evening.

Tension began when a group of trouble mongers threw stones at PFI activists during their march at Ameer Ahmed Circle around 4:30 pm. Nearly 900 PFI activists from various parts of Shivamogga district were taking out the march to mark the outfit’s founders’ day. During the march, PFI cadre are said to have raised slogans against an extremist Hindutva organization. Police had to cane the troublemakers to prevent the situation from going out of control.

Three cars were damaged in stone pelting. The violence soon spread to M.K.K. Road, Gandhi Bazaar, Nehru Road, and Garden Area. A shop in Gandhi Bazaar, two pushcarts near Shivappa Nayaka Circle, and three bikes near Nehru Road were torched. A mob also assaulted two persons near M.K.K. Road. They have been admitted to McGann Hospital. The incident forced the closure of shops at Gandhi Bazaar, B.H. Road, and Nehru Road. Security has been tightened.

Police later banned assembly of people under section 144 of the CrPC. As many as 600 police personnel from Davangere and Haveri districts were deployed in the city’s sensitive areas. Eight platoons of KSRP have also been deployed.

Meanwhile, the Mangaluru city police questioned passengers returning to the city from Shivamogga. The police suspected that those leaving Shivamogga might be involved in the clash. Government and private buses were stopped and those returning from the event were questioned. The process has been videographed. The police are collecting information about those who attended the event.

M Nanjundaswamy, IGP, Eastern Range, in-charge Superintendent of Police S S Naik and Deputy Commissioner V P Ikkeri have been camping in Shivamogga. Naik said, “The situation is under control. We are looking into the footage of the unity march to find out those responsible for the violence.” Schools and colleges in Shivamogga have declared a holiday on Friday.