Karnataka - Gulbarga   

Two killed in clash between rival groups in Gulbarga

GULBARGA: Two persons were killed on the spot and several others injured when two groups clashed with firearms and weapons at Deval Gangapur in Afsalpur taluk in Gulbarga district on Friday night.

The victims Basavaraj Hadapad (26) and Satyappa Kallur (22) suffered multiple injuries including bullet wounds and died on the spot while another person, identified as Babu, who suffered multiple injuries, was unconscious and had been shifted to Basaveshwar Teaching and General Hospital. His condition is said to be serious.

The police said that old enmity between the groups headed by Yellappa Kallur and Babu Murnetti had culminated into a serious clash.

The two groups had earlier clashed over the issue of vehicle parking contract and sand mining contract in the Bhima.

Deval Gangapur Datta temple authorities could not finalise the vehicle parking contract after supporters of the two groups clashed at the meeting, and the meeting was postponed.

Reports said the temple authorities had proposed to hold the meeting this week.

The police suspect that the re-scheduled date to finalise the contract might be the reason for the Friday clash. According to reports, the groups encountered each other at the bus-stand and clashed with knives and other weapons. The members had opened fire before the police could arrive and bring the situation under control.

Even as the police arrived on the spot, the groups escaped in darkness. The reports said that around 30 persons were involved in the fight.

Several cases including attempt to murder, rioting, and clash with lethal weapons among others are pending against Yellappa Kallur and Babu Murnetti and their gang members at Afsalpur, Deval Gangapur and Revoor police stations.

Senior police officials including Superintendent of Police Devjyothi Ray and Additional Superintendent of Police Mahantesh rushed to the spot immediately. Mr. Mahantesh is camping in the town to supervise security arrangements.

Inspector General of Police Gagandeep on Saturday visited the temple town and directed the local police officials to arrest the culprits and recover firearms used in the clash.

The police have recovered two used cartridges from the spot. Mr. Ray has constituted two teams headed by Afsalpur police inspector Ramesh Meti and Aland police inspector Chandrakant Pujari to arrest the culprits.

Police teams have also been sent to Maharashtra in search of those absconding. Security in the temple town has been tightened and additional police force including a KSRP platoon deployed.

The situation is reported to be peaceful.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Two killed in clash between rival groups in Gulbarga
Man dies in road accident
Stabbed to death

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu