Bengre tense after BJP party workers,Muslim youths clash over sloganeering

Tension prevailed in Thota Bengre and Kasaba Bengre in Mangaluru after an altercation broke out between BJP workers and local Muslim youths at Malpe on Tuesday night. Four persons and a sub inspector suffered injuries in the stone pelting incident.

The BJP workers were returning from the fishermen convention of BJP national president Amit Shah at Malpe.

Fishermen in five buses had been to Malpe to take part in the convention. While returning, the BJP workers were shouting slogans to which some local Muslim youths took exception to and a clash ensued between the two factions. Later, with the efforts of leaders from both Thota Bengre and Kasaba Bengre, the issue was sorted out.

As news began to spread to Thota Begre, which is about a kilometre away from Kasaba Bengre, a group allegedly assaulted a youth who had gone to refuel petrol for his vehicle. The news of the assault too spread and the situation became tense. A group of Muslims from Kasaba Bengre went to Thota Bengre and once again clashes erupted between the two groups and stones were pelted from both the sides.

The Panambur police tried to control the situation and the miscreants pelted stones at the police. As a result, two police vehicles were damaged and Panambur SI Poovappa suffered injuries. In the stone pelting incident, Rahul, Lokesh, Vipin and Amir suffered injuries.

To disperse the crowd, Panambur Inspector K M Rafiq fired nine rounds in the air.

Additional police forces rushed to the spot and resorted to mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd. An attempt was also made to restore peace by the leaders of both the communities who convened a meeting.

Once again after midnight, miscreants pelted stones at the house of Haider in Bengre damaging the window and doors. Even the two-wheeler parked in front of the house was damaged. At the same time, stones and soda bottles were pelted at a masjid. City Police Commissioner T R Suresh along with other senior police officers rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

City Police Commissioner T R Suresh told reporters, "There was stone pelting from both the sides. The police have booked suo motu case on stone pelting after four persons suffered injuries. Members of both the communities have filed complaints against each other."

As a precautionary measure, four KSRP platoons and additional police personnel have been deployed in Bengre. The situation is under control. Peace meetings have been convened by inviting members of both the community.

Speaking to reporters on the incident, MLA J R Lobo said, "I am hurt by this incident as people in Thota Bengre and Kasaba Bengre have been living peacefully. I have instructed the police to take stringent action against those who are responsible for disturbing peace and harmony in the region."

"I do not wish to add any colour to the incident nor politicise the issue. It is only miscreants who act to create disturbance in the region. Whoever is responsible and whichever party they belong to, we will not compromise on the matter. The culprits should be severely dealt so that such incidents do not recur in the region."

He also lauded the efforts of leaders like Mohan Bengre, Asif, Aslam, Sulaiman, Chethan Bengre, Shekar for their timely intervention to bring the situation under control.