Peace meet to end inter-community clash

Bhatkal, June 27: In a bid to end inter-community clash that broke out following a dispute over a road in Mathadahitlu near Murudeshwar, Uttara Kannada Superintendent of Police K T Balakrishna on Tuesday held a peace meeting.

Bhatkal was tense for the last fortnight due to the clash between Namadhari and Moger communities.

Mr. Balakrishna, who addressed people from both communities at RNS Polytechnic in Murudeshwar, requested them to maintain peace. He said that the police and revenue officials should help and coordinate to maintain law and order in the taluk.

He said that Bhatkal being a sensitive place, the leaders of different communities should have sorted out the problem by holding meetings.

Ashok Naik, Assistant Commissioner of Bhatkal, said that the Mathadahitlu road dispute would be solved within one week.

K T Balakrishna, Superintendent of Police, on Monday suspended Vasan Achar, sub-inspector of Murudeshewar police station, for dereliction of duty. Mr. Balakrishna said that during the clash between members of Namadhari and Moger communities at Mathadahitlu in Murudeshwar on June 8, Mr. Achar did not take effective steps to prevent it. Instead, allowed it to escalate.