Tension prevailed in the city on Monday when miscreants indulged in stone-throwing, causing damage to several vehicles, including NWKRTC buses and police vehicles, were damaged. Two policemen were also injured. The police resorted to caning near the New English School to disperse the mob. Sixteen persons have been arrestedin this connection. Hubballi–Dharwad Police Commissioner Panduranga H. Rane said the local unit of the Sunni Students’ Federation had sought permission to hold a protest meeting at Ambedkar grounds opposing Kamalesh Tiwari’s statements against Prophet Mohammad. They had also sought permission to take out a procession, which was rejected.
The protest meeting was attended by several leaders of the community and it was peaceful. Even the tahsildar went to the spot and received the memorandum.
But some among the protesters turned unruly while returning from the meeting. The police resorted to lathi-charge to bring the situation under control. Additional forces have been deployed in the area, Mr. Rane said.
Later, another group held a protest near the Old Hubballi police station opposing the lathi-charge and demanding action against those involved in the unruly incidents.
The protest meeting was attended by several leaders of the community
