Southern States - Karnataka   

Situation under control in Sagar

By Our Special Correspondent

SHIMOGA Sept. 12. The situation in Sagar town was tense but quiet today after a curfew was clamped on the town at 1 p.m. on Thursday for three days following the outbreak of communal violence.

All roads were deserted as people remained indoors. Security forces are keeping a close watch to prevent any untoward incident. The Additional Director-General of Police (Karnataka State Reserve Police), Mr. Achutrao, and the Additional DGP (Law and Order), Subhash Bharani, are camping in the town to review the situation.

Lawyers stayed away from courts in Sagar, Shimoga, Hosnagar, and Sorab to protest against the arrest of their colleague, K.N. Sridhar. The vice-president of the Sagar Bar Association, Suresh Babu, told presspersons that Mr. Sridhar was arrested and subjected to what he termed ill treatment when he went to the police station to seek security for the Bhandarkere Math swami, who was leaving the town after completing his Chaturmasya Vrata.

Kagodu visits town

The Minister for Health and Family Welfare and district in-charge, Kagodu Thimmappa, who hails from Sagar taluk, visited the riot-affected areas this morning.

He also visited the government hospital where the injured persons are being treated. He promised that adequate compensation would be paid to the families affected by the riots. Later, he held a discussion with the authorities concerned on the law and order situation in the town. Speaking to presspersons, Mr. Thimmappa held the VHP and the Bajrang Dal responsible for the violence. He alleged that the Sangh Parivar organisations were inciting communal feelings among people.

Addressing a press conference here, the Deputy Commissioner, Tushar Girinath, said the situation in Sagar was under control, with no fresh outbreak of violence being reported after the curfew was clamped. He said 60 persons had been arrested in connection with the violence. He said that 20 houses located in the town's extensions were partially damaged in the arson while three shops and several petty shops were attacked. He said the loss of property was yet to be assessed.

Mr. Girinath said he had requested the Government to release Rs. 10 lakhs to pay compensation to families affected by the violence, and added that he had already released Rs. 1 lakh to the Assistant Commissioner, Sagar subdivision, for ex-gratia payment.

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