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Ban orders in Bhatkal after group clash

Correspondent

Missing idols spark tension in the coastal town

KARWAR: Prohibitory orders under Section 144 were clamped in Bhatkal on Wednesday following a group clash. The orders will be in effect till 6 p.m., Thursday.

Tension mounted in the town at 10 a.m. when a group assembled near Shamshuddin Circle in the town alleging that two idols at Masti Bana located near Mugdum Colony, had been stolen and one idol desecrated. Soon, another group also appeared on the spot, resulting in a group clash.

Two persons were injured in the incident of which one person has been shifted to a hospital in Mangalore. A motorcycle and an autorickshaw were damaged.

A dispute over fencing Masti Bana, where a water tank is being built, is said to have triggered the incident.

While some people oppose it, the municipal authorities are insisting that the area be fenced. The tahsildar of Bhatkal had convened a meeting to discuss the issue and instructed the municipality not to take any action till Thursday. However, the missing idols led to the group clash, it is said. All shops were closed in the town till afternoon. Police have made security arrangements to prevent any untoward incident.

Deputy Commissioner Ritesh Singh, Superintendent of Police Ravi S. and Inspector-General of Police Suresh Babu visited the town.

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