Southern States - Karnataka

Ban orders after Cong., BJP workers clash

By Our Staff Correspondent

BELLARY APRIL 14. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code have been clamped in Cowl Bazar police station limits following clashes between the supporters of the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party here today. The ban orders, clamped as a precautionary measure, will be in force for three days.

Police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the clashing groups, which threw stones at each other.

According to reports, the BJP workers allegedly attacked H. Siddanna, former municipal president, and Gopinath, Block Congress Committee president, who went to Kurahatti to attend a function organised to lay the foundation stone for the Central Government-sponsored Valmiki-Ambedkar Awas Yojana (VAMBAY).

As news about the attack spread, the Congress supporters attacked the BJP workers near the venue. Many persons suffered injuries. The left thumb of a BJP worker was cut off. Two others suffered head injuries.

The Minister of State for Rural Development, M. Diwakar Babu, the KPCC president, Allum Veerbhadrappa, Kolur Basavanagoud, MP, and Somashekar Reddy, vice-president of the city municipal council, participated in the function. After the function, the leaders of the BJP and the Congress had an argument. Police intervened and prevented the situation from getting out of control.

In the evening, police arrested people involved in the clashes. When Sriramulu of the BJP and two others were brought to the police station, they assaulted Kumaraswamy of the Congress, who was also there. Mr. Kumaraswamy sustained injury on his nose.

This incident led to further tension and rival mobs began hurling stones. Police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the mob. Tension gripped the city following the incident.

The Superintendent of Police, Sharat Chandra, told presspersons that the situation was under control. He had requisitioned additional forces, which would be deployed in sensitive areas.

Mr. Chandra said that Mr. Sriramulu and four others of the BJP and as many Congress workers had been taken into custody. More arrests were likely.

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