Mangaluru: A tense situation continues to prevail in the city, with several incidents of stabbing and violence being reported, following a scuffle between two groups belonging to two different religions at Ulaibettu.
Meanwhile, social networking sites and texting apps are being bombarded with images and messages related to the communal violence, further damaging the fragile peace in the society.
The scuffle between two groups, who happened to be Hindu and Muslim, erupted on Friday over the usage of a newly laid concrete road at Ulaibettu. Subsequently, the ‘innocent’ devotees and a few locals claimed that they were assaulted by another group.
These two incidents of clashes erupted into a communal conflagration – with pro-Hindu leaders led by Sri Rajashekarananda Swamiji of Vajradehi math, Gurupura leading a bandh – two days after the incident which took place on Friday the 5th.
Rumors:
The situation worsened on Sunday evening. Rumors were spread stating that a section of pro-Muslim activists in Ulaibettu challenged the Hindu activists to come to Ulaibettu – wearing saffron clothes.
Determined to go inside, the pro-Hindu activists held a protest march from various places to Ulaibettu. Sensing trouble, the Mangaluru police intelligently clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC within a 1.5-km radius of Ulaibettu from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m, exempting essential services, religious places and schools.
However, the rumor had spread like wildfire by then. During the protest on Monday organized by pro-Hindu activists, a few activists passed unauthenticated information that the Muslim activists are hiding with weapons and rods – ready for violence, if the Hindu activists enter Ulaibettu. In their address to the large number of protestors, the leaders too claimed that, the Muslims inside Ulaibettu are ready with weapons.
Violent Protests:
“We must go inside and fuel confidence among the Hindu residents who are residing in Ulaibettu. They live in fear of Muslims. This is a country which belongs to Hindus. Do not test our patience”, the leaders said.
Meantime, the crowd had turned into a mob. A section of the protesters – who spotted a flex which had the photo of local MLA Mohideen Bawa on it, threw a stone and tore it into pieces. The crowd grew restive and angry. Although, the leaders begged them to calm down and hold peaceful protests, the mob paid no heed to them.
Subsequently, few activists started pelting stones and the police resorted to lathi charge. The police asked the leaders to call off protest and promised to take them inside Ulaibettu entrance with security.
Spread of false information:
However, following the protest, there was a widespread exchange of false and unauthenticated information of violence. The police re-iterated that the public should not listen to the rumors.
On Monday evening, district in-charge minister B. Ramanath Rai requested the public to maintain peace and not to pay heed to the rumor mongers. Mangaluru Police Commissioner R. Hitendra also asked the public to confirm the authenticity of the information they receive from various sources, before drawing conclusions.
On Monday night, the police kept vigil and security was beefed up in and around the city. The police also asked the shop keepers to close down the shops after 10.00pm.
However, there was panic among people, as there were several incidents of stabbing and violence was reported on Monday night. Tuesday nevertheless, was peaceful.
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