Hallikeri village in Navalgund taluk of Dharwad district is in the grip of communal tension following the death of a man in a group clash on Thursday.
Though the police said the situation was under control and additional forces had been deployed in Hallikeri, many men of a particular community have left the village fearing arrest.
According to the police, it all started with a quarrel between two people belonging to different communities over a trivial issue in the morning. Shrinivas Vittal Giraddi, an office-bearer of Sri Rama Sene, who was allegedly hit by the other man during the quarrel, filed a complaint with the Annigeri police.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, when Mr. Giraddi and other members of the sene returned to Hallikeri after filing the complaint, a group of people attacked them with weapons, injuring five.
Of the injured, Koreppa Kotrappa Javru (32), Huchchappa Maruteppa Durgad and Shrinivas Giraddi were shifted to KIMS Hospital here. Mr. Javru succumbed to his injuries in the evening. Mr. Durgad is under observation in the intensive-care unit.
The situation in the village took a communal colour after the attack on the sene members.
ADVERTISEMENT
Deputy Superintendent of Police Kallappa Handibhag, Navalgund police inspector B.M. Soori rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. They are camping in the village. Additional forces have been deployed as a precautionary measure.
Mr. Soori told The Hindu that around 40 people involved in the attack were absconding.
Action soughtSene chief Pramod Mutalik has sought action against Annigeri police sub-inspector Praveen Neelammanavar for alleged dereliction of duty, and compensation of Rs. 10 lakh to Mr. Javru’s family.