Karnataka - Belgaum   

One stabbed in dispute over statue

Belgaum: Tension prevailed at Teerthkunde village in Khanapur taluk when a 17-year-old activist of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Narayana Gowda faction) was stabbed, allegedly by two persons of same village, over a dispute on the installation of a statue of Rani Chennamma, on Wednesday evening.

The injured youth, identified as Devaraj B., was rushed to the district government hospital in Belgaum where his condition was stated to be serious. He had multiple injuries on the stomach and chest.

The personnel at the Khanapur police station were hesitant to give any information to the media, stating that senior officials were in Belgaum. According to sources and KRV district president Rajeev Topannar, the village was divided over the installation of the statue. A majority of the residents, including KRV activists, were in favour of putting up the statue. But some residents were opposed to the idea. One of the KRV activists was beaten up over the issue some time ago.

Differences cropped up once again on Wednesday when Devaraj and other KRV activists and residents were collecting contributions for the statue. A group opposed to the installation of the statue protested. This led to a scuffle in which Devaraj was stabbed.

Additional police personnel were rushed to Teerthkunde as a precautionary measure.

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