Tension prevails in Paduthonse Bengre over cattle seizure

Tension prevailed at Paduthonse Bengre when a huge group of Sangh Pariwar activists allegedly pelted stones at a house belonging to Muslim community here on Wednesday.

The root cause of the chaos started all of a sudden when police arrived at B K Javed’s house in Paduthonse Bengre at around 7.30 pm on Tuesday to inquire about the cattle that was tied in the house suspecting illegal cattle trafficking. The police after receiving the clarifications from Javed seized the cattle and shifted it to the Goshala in Neelavara.

B K Javed told Deccan Herald that police who arrived at his house took away the cattle despite the explanation given to them. Police reportedly said that the incident may result in communal riots if the cattle is not seized.

“We were afraid and we did not want any sort of disturbances and we agreed to send the cattle with police,” he said and added: “Soon afterwards, at around 8 pm, people from our community after performing prayers in a Mosque gathered near house and raised voice against the incident.”

Meanwhile, some Sangh Pariwar group members arrived at the spot and there were some minor clashes. Everything was all right following the intervention of public and the mob was dispersed, he said.

However, on Wednesday, around 1 pm, nearly 250 to 300 Sangh Pariwar activists came in motor bikes and started pelting stones at our house, Javed said and added: “It was too frightening and we were helpless. We just could not do anything other than silently observing the stones. I have a small kid. My mother and my wife were totally upset and they were not in a position to scream for help. One stone directly came inside and broke the TV glass. After some time, they left. Later, we came out. However, we did not lodge any complaint and we have not decided over that”.

Police sources said that the public in and around Javed's house were apprehensive over the cattle that was tied outside the house. They suspected that the cow was brought for slaughter. In order to calm down the situation, the police seized the cow.

On the other hand, sources also said that the Sangh Pariwar activists who arrived near the house on Wednesday afternoon silently gathered near the house, but they did not pelt stones as alleged by the house owner.

SP Dr Boralingaiah M B told that the situation is normal and measures have been taken to control the possibilities of any untoward incident. Arrests have not been done in connection with the case as no formal complaint has been lodged. Security is given to the house and family members following the incident, he added.

Udupi District Muslim Okkuta has strongly condemned the incident and has urged SP to take immediate action against the accused. The press release issued by the Okkuta stated that a sort of scary atmosphere has been created and the Muslim community people feel it unsafe and unprotected. The police department should make sure of justice and the innocent should be protected, the release added.