Madikeri: The rotting legs of cow hung at the entrance arch of a temple in Kakkabbe whipped up fresh tension in parts of Kodagu district as the right wing led Hindu activists demanded arrest of “anti-social” elements responsible for the act.

When villagers noticed a polythene bag hanging at the entrance arch of Nattumadu Sri Bhagavathi temple near Napoklu on August 30 morning, they grew suspicious and opened the plastic bag. To their surprise, they found four rotting legs of a cow and informed Napoklu police immediately.

They started agitating near the temple demanding police action against wrongdoers. Later, right wing Hindu activists joined them near the link road junction and demanded the arrest of “anti-social” elements trying to create communal tension by endangering peace in the district.

Protestors led by Zilla Panchayat President B A Harish accompanied by other elected members of local bodies addressed a sizeable gathering and cautioned the police to be vigilant to ensure law and order during this period with Kodava festival Kail-Poldu coinciding with Muslim festival Bakrid.

DySP Sundar Raj arrived at the spot, assured of action against the miscreants and pacified the agitating mob.

Police have registered a case and are on the lookout for miscreants. Security has been beefed-up in the area to prevent untoward incidents.

Echoing similar sentiments, protests were held in district capital Madikeri, led by VHP leader D H Medappa and City Unit BJP President Mahesh Jaini accompanied by right wing group members.