Southern States
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Karnataka
RSS men injured; ban order imposed on Bagalkot
By Our Staff Correspondent
BIJAPUR, JAN. 11. Prohibitory order has been imposed on Bagalkot town for 10 days because of violence, which erupted after members of a particular community threw stones at a RSS rehearsal march near Anjuman High School on Thursday.
Two swayamsevaks, who suffered head injuries in the clash, were admitted to civil hospital in Bagalkot. However, they have now been referred to KIMS at Hubli.
Tension prevailed as the violent mob damaged as many as six vehicles, including a car and an autorickshaw, and looted one shop. At least, two tin-roofed shops were destroyed.
Personnel of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and District Armed Reserve Police were deployed at trouble-prone areas, including Venkatpet Lane, Pigambar Galli and Oundi Oni. Additional KSRP platoons from Belgaum and police staff from different centres of the district were called in. Trouble began at about 10.15 p.m. when a RSS rehearsal procession consisting of around 50 swayamsevaks entered the Venkatpet Lane, where there is a large Muslim presence.
It is said that a function was being conducted in that locality at that time. "Irritated" by the drum beating by the marchers, some youths from that community allegedly threw stones at the procession. They even attacked the processionists with sticks.
Hit by sticks on their heads, two RSS front line activists, Shiva Melnad and Basavaraj Yankanchi, collapsed. Amid the clash, the injured were taken to civil hospital. Soon members of the Hindu community also gathered there, and resorted to stone throwing.
By the time police arrived at the spot, many vehicles were damaged. Police resorted to lathicharge and chased away the warring youths.
Even as security personnel were trying to restore normality in the troubled localities, the Deputy Commissioner, Gangaram Baderia, and the Superintendent of Police, H.S.Siddanna, held a meeting at the Assistant Commissioner's office and decided to impose prohibitory order under Section 144.
Subsequently, the Assistant Commissioner, Sushma Godbole, issued the order at 1.30 a.m. The order will be in force in the city limits till the midnight of January 22.
Although no untoward incidents took place during the day, there was an uneasy calm in the city.
Most of the shops and business establishments conducted business, but they were ordered to close early in the evening. Policemen have been posted in the sensitive places, including a few centres of worship.
Following the violence, a shadow of uncertainty has now been cast on the proposed two-day divisional-level RSS Meet at Bagalkot from January 20. As a prelude to this conference, swayamsevaks in Bagalkot have been conducting rehearsal marches since a week.
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