The Gram Panchayat had identified a plot of land to be used as a crematory site, and had appointed a committee to serve the purpose. Though the approval had been granted by the Gram Panchayat eight years ago in 2004, work has not begun at the plot due to the opposition from the local residents, most of them BJP activists.
The brawl erupted when around 10 members of cremation site committee including Keshav, Balakrishna Rai and Balakrishna Shetty arrived at the chosen spot on Tuesday along with a JCB excavator. Angered by their move, local residents along with a few members of Gram Panchayat, Taluk Panchayat began protesting, which resulted in clash between two groups.
Two people, including committee member Keshav, who sustained severe injuries in the clash, were admitted to two different hospitals.
According to Keshav a group of around 10 members including BJP leaders such as Gram Panchayat member Vijay B S, Taluk Panchayat members Shashiprabha and Babith Kumar, not only prevented them from beginning work but also assaulted them.
He told police that assailants also pelted stones at him and as a result he sustained head injuries. “The BJP activists who should have extended their support to the cause of Hindu crematory ground are against us. Panchayat member Vijay has been behaving arrogantly due to his political influence,” he said.
Vijay B S, who has also suffered injuries, said that he and other local residents are against the creation of a cremation ground at the allotted land in Kallarpe. “There are plenty of homes as well as a water tank nearby. We have been objecting the proposal from many years now. But they have decided to carry on the work without any purpose. We have merely been protesting objecting to it, and have not resorted to assaults” he justified.
He stated that the residents would not allow the land to be converted into a cremation ground under any circumstances.
Cases against both parties have been registered.
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