Assault at Pumpwell: Police take nine into custody

Mangalore: Mangalore rural police arrested nine persons, allegedly associated with Bajarang Dal in connection with the attack of several students of Mangalore Institute of Fire and Safety at Pumpwell on Thursday.

Mangalore Police Commissioner R. Hitendra said a student of the institute took the help of his friends who allegedly belong to the Bajarang Dal to assault his classmates, as a matter of revenge.

The police gave names of arrested persons as Nitesh, Ganesh, Sanjay, Chethan, Yathish, Amith, Akesh, Ranjan and Sathish. Police commissioner said Bajarang Dal leader Bhujanga Kulal was also questioned to ascertain his involvement in the case.

Soon afterwards, the members of Bajarang Dal led by Sharan Pumpwell held a protest saying that the police have arrested innocent persons and sought the release of Kulal.

Earlier, the members of Campus Front of India also staged demonstrations at Pumpwell demanding immediate action against the assaulters.

On Thursday, nearly 20 persons reportedly chased six students and assaulted them with stones and rods.

Among the six, two were injured.

Kalandhar is still in the hospital with head injuries.