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

[email protected] (CD Network)
October 3, 2011

bhatkal

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.

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News Network
September 16,2024

Shaun.jpg

In a heart-breaking incident, 19-year-old Shaun D'Souza, a native of Vittalwadi in Udupi's Kundapur taluk, tragically lost his life in the UAE due to heat stroke.

Shaun, the beloved son of Elias Cyril D'Souza and Pramila D'Souza, originally from Hosabettu, Moodbidri, had been pursuing his college education in the UAE.

He was admitted to a hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, approximately 115 km from Dubai, after collapsing from heatstroke. Despite receiving immediate medical attention, Shaun breathed his last on Sunday, September 15. 

He is deeply mourned by his parents and two siblings. The family, who had been residing near St. Mary's Church in the UAE, are grappling with the profound loss. Shaun’s father, Elias, works as a manager for a private company, while his mother, Pramila, is an accountant.

The local community has come together to offer their support and condolences in this time of sorrow.

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News Network
September 14,2024

Mangaluru: The block level and District Congress Committee presidents in the state will be changed in the next one month for better reach into society and bring in organisational fortification, said Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee working president G C Chandrasheker on Saturday.

The All India Congress Committee and KPCC have a vision for bringing a change in how the party works with the last man and woman in the state, he said at a press conference here.

"We are looking at bringing development models into the state with a new vision. We are a party that likes to work with the opposition in the developmental aspects and keep all other matters away that do not relate to the development of the state.

"We have a great respect for the people of the coast who are considered to be forward-looking and perceptible, but it is also true that we do not have the numbers in the upper house and in the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)," he said.

"Our endeavour is to not only create a strong pro-development workforce at the base level by strengthening the second and third level leadership in the state," he said.

Chandrasheker, who is also a Rajya Sabha member, said that he and his four colleagues of the rank of working presidents of the KPCC are going to every district to infuse the new thinking in our workers and leaders.

"This move will get a new surge considering the party is facing byelections in Shiggaon, Chennapatna and Sandhur segments and also vacant seats in the legislative council, followed by elections to the Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats" he said.

When asked about the reason for the changes, Chandrashekar said most of the people have already lived their tenures. The party wants to reward those who have not been given tickets to contest in the 2023 state assembly elections and 2024 Lok Sabha elections for political reasons.

There are quite good leaders and hard-working ground level workers who have great potential to lead the party in the coming years, he said.

"Women will get at least one top post in all District Congress Committees and block levels. There is also a move to give responsible positions for the workers and leaders coming from different strata of society, which are deliverable. The party will not shy away from it," he said.

The other two working presidents, Dr Manjunath Bhandary and Vasanth Kumar, were also present at the press conference.

Kumar said some of the regions in the state are dominated by the BJP. "We want to end this run and defeat the divisive models of the BJP." Bhandary said the Indian National Congress was aiming at a high development phase in the state and involve the opposition parties and their leaders in the development plans in the state. 

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News Network
September 17,2024

Kalaburagi: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said that alleged role of "outsiders" belonging to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) in the violence at Nagamangala will be examined and action taken based on the probe report.

Clashes broke out between two groups during a Ganesh idol procession in the town in Mandya district following which mobs went on a rampage targeting several shops and vehicles leading to tension on September 11 night.

"Everything will be examined, investigation will be done, on getting the report we will decide. We will not protect anyone, and unnecessarily no one will be punished. We will look into the facts based on the inquiry report and take action accordingly," Parameshwara told reporters here.

He noted that two officials -- Deputy Superintendent of Police and Inspector -- have already been suspended, and added that further action will be taken based on the report.

The Minister said the government has taken the Nagamangala violence seriously and there is no question of taking such incidents lightly. "BJP makes such allegations, but we too have responsibility, we don't take anything lightly."

On allegations that "outsiders" were involved in the violence, Parameshwara said if inquiry reveals complicity of such elements, it would be examined and action taken accordingly.

Regarding claims that those belonging to the banned PFI were involved, he said: "It will be known from the probe."

On demand for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into Nagamangala violence by BJP which alleged "failure" of state's home department, Parameshwara said: "they keep saying such things, we will not listen to all that."

According to police, an argument had broken out between two groups, when the procession by devotees from Badri Koppalu village reached a place of worship on September 11, and some miscreants hurled stones, which escalated the situation.

Following the clashes between the two groups, a few shops were vandalised and goods torched and vehicles set on fire, they added.

To allegations from some BJP leaders that the party MLA Munirathna was arrested "hurriedly", Parameshwara said, police acted after the complaint was given, "what's wrong in that?"

Munirathna, who represents Rajarajeshwari Nagar Assembly segment here, was picked up from Nangli village in Kolar’s Mulbagal on Saturday evening on charges of harassing a Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) contractor for bribe, casteist slurs on a former corporator, and also cheating, criminal intimidation and insulting a woman’s modesty.

Asked about "illegal items" seized from the prison here recently by officials, he said an investigation has begun on this.

When a photo of actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who was lodged in Parappana Agrahara Prison here, hanging out with other inmates surfaced recently, action was taken based on the probe report and eleven officials were suspended.

"I will look into recent seizures made too and action will be taken; also probe is on at other prisons in the state and action will follow if anything wrong is found," the Minister added.

Police raided the high-security wing of Parappana Agrahara Central Prison here on Saturday and seized smartphones and other illegal goods.

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