Karnataka - Hubli-Dharwad   

Vehicles, shops stoned during protest march

Staff Correspondent

It was a protest against publication of caricature in a Danish newspaper

CONTROLLING VIOLENCE: A police officer charging towards protestors (not in the picture) to disperse the crowd when some miscreants threw stones at shops and vehicles during a protest march in Hubli on Friday.

HUBLI: Tension prevailed for some time near the Kittur Chennamma Circle here on Friday afternoon when miscreants stoned shops and vehicles during a protest march.

The protest was to express anger against a Danish newspaper for publishing cartoons of Prophet Mohammad and also against the Denmark Government for its failure to initiate action.

According to a press release issued on Thursday on behalf of Jumma Masjid Jumma Makan (Sunni) by M.A. Pashchapur, Mutavalli of Jamia Masjid, Mullana Oni, it was a peace march to protest against the publication of the caricature of Prophet Mohammad.

The march originated from various places and converged at the Kittur Chennamma Circle. Initially, the protest march was peaceful, but things changed after it reached the circle. While the effigies of the Danish Government and persons related to the controversy were being burnt, some miscreants threw stones at few shops and passing vehicles.

Tension

Chaos and tension prevailed for a while before police brought the situation under control. Police resorted to mild lathi-charge to bring the situation under control.

Soon after situation was brought under control, the protest march resumed.

The protestors then marched towards the Hubli tahsildar's office to submit memorandums addressed to the Governor and the President. The news of stone-throwing led to rumours about communal riots and vehicles kept off the roads. Rumours spread in the communally sensitive city making the people panic. Burning of old tyres at junctions and on main roads only added to people's fear. However, soon as the protest march was over and the crowd dispersed, vehicles reappeared on the city roads.

Protest in Belgaum

Belgaum Staff Correspondent reports:

Members of Mohalla Jamaats and masjid committees staged a demonstration here on Friday against the caricatures depicting Prophet Mohammed that were published in a Danish newspaper. The protestors gathered at the Rani Channamma Circle, and later submitted a memorandum to the President through the office of the Deputy Commissioner.

The protestors said Islam does not permit portraits and sketches of the Prophet.

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Vehicles, shops stoned during protest march

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