Tension prevailed at Ulaibettu near Vamanjoor on the outskirts of the city following a clash between two groups on Friday night. At least nine persons were injured.
The trouble began, according to police, when a group of people in a vehicle who were on their way to Datta Peetha at Bababudangiri Chikkamagaluru district, was blocked by another group, saying the road was being concreted and it could not be used.
After heated exchanges, the vehicle started moving but it was pelted with stones. In retaliation, stones were thrown on a few other vehicles and later on a place of worship around 10 p.m. on Friday, according to the police.
This led to a spate of attacks on people and damage to vehicles near Ulaibettu, leaving nine persons injured and damage to a few cars and two-wheelers. Additional forces were requisitioned to maintain peace and order in the area. People of the area maintained that the groups that clashed were not from Ulaibettu.
‘Unprovoked’
The injured persons, who have been hospitalised, said the attack on them was “unprovoked”. Yashodhar (29), who was hit on the head, chest and legs, said he had been attacked twice without any provocation. His brother Jagadish, sister Soumya, and her neighbour Babita too were injured.
Mr. Jagadish alleged that a team of policemen, who were near the place of attack, did not act fast. “I begged with the police officer to save my brother, but they just turned away,” he charged.
Residents of Ulaibettu belonging to one community alleged police highhandedness while rounding up people after the incident. They alleged that the police broke open the doors of most houses on a lane and all flats in an apartment complex, alleging that they were protecting the attackers. They rounded up 28 persons for questioning.
Police Commissioner R. Hitendra defended the police action, saying there was a complaint against people of a particular community and the police had to force open the doors as the residents did not cooperate. The police have registered the complaint by the injured persons and have arrested 23 persons. A separate case has been registered for the stoning of a place of worship.