The Chikkamagaluru Police on Wednesday took representatives of Muslim and Hindu communities to the cave shrine at Bababudangiri near here and held a meeting. Chikkamagaluru Superintendent of Police K. Annamalai took this initiative to clear the “misunderstandings” among the people over the damage caused to the burial ground in the disputed site during the Datta Jayanti programme held on Sunday.
“This was the first such meeting held at the place. We had invited the organisers of Datta Jayanti programme and leaders of the Muslim community. Three main organisers of the programme joined us, while there were many Muslim leaders. We took them to the burial ground to show that the damage caused was minor and it was repaired within a short time. The exercise was to clear the misunderstandings among the people over the incidents that happened on that day,” Mr. Annamalai told The Hindu.
The officer said the visit was fruitful as the leaders were convinced that the damage was minor.
“They were also happy with the police action following the incident. They appreciated the police for taking immediate measures to stop violence in the city following the incident,” he said.
Such meetings, the officer said, will help in planning the security arrangements for future programmes.
SP announces reward for two constables
Appreciating the immediate response of two police constables in avoiding further damage to the burial ground in the disputed site of Sri Guru Dattatreya Bababudan Swamy Dargah at Bababudangiri during the Datta Jayanti programme on Sunday, Chikkamagaluru SP K. Annamalai has announced a cash reward of ₹ 10,000 each.
Gurudev Pavade Dayagonda, a police constable with Srimangala Police Station in Kodagu district and S.P. Galagali of Sadalaga Police Station in Belagavi district were the two personnel who rushed to the burial ground soon after a group of youths stormed the area. Both of them were drawn for Datta Jayanti security duty from their respective places.
In a press release issued here on Wednesday, Mr. Annamalai said that it was because of their immediate response that further damage could be averted.
Their courage and timely response deserve appreciation, he said.
The SP has also written to the SPs of respective districts appreciating the work of the constables and also recommended the Director General and Inspector General of Police for a letter of commendation to the constables.
