The situation in Bhatkal, a town in the Uttara Kannada district, has become tense after incidents of stone pelting during a Lord Ganesh idol immersion procession. Reports indicate that the clashes also involved a mosque and a madrasa late Wednesday. In the aftermath, both parties have lodged counter complaints with local police, highlighting the escalating tensions in the community.
The incident drew members of Muslim community to police station where they sought arrest of those responsible. Police intervened as the gathering became tense, with senior officials reaching the station and asking those present to remain calm. We will take immediate action on it. Police personnel have already reached the spot. “When the procession reached the vicinity of the mosque, someone among the people standing on either side of the road allegedly threw stones at the procession. He added police stopped the group on its return from the immersion and informed them that stones had allegedly been thrown at the mosque. The procession was then directed along another route to prevent confrontation.
Uttara Kannada SP Deepan MN said, “Counter complaints have already been registered. Ganapati Naik, a Taland resident and community representative who was part of the procession, said the situation became tense near the mosque after stones were allegedly thrown towards the procession. Some youths became angry and wanted to protest, but they were pacified and taken along with the procession to the immersion site,” Naik said.
