Shivamogga: The dispute over the Idgah ground opposite the deputy commissioner’s office in the City has been temporarily settled under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Gurudatta Hegde and Superintendent of Police G K Mithun Kumar.
The officers convinced the leaders and organisations from both sides to get the case resolved in a civil court and open the ground for public use until then, and the two parties agreed.
The district administration has decided to remove the barricades placed around the ground on Thursday morning and open it to the public.
As many as 14 CCTV cameras have been installed around the ground. Priority will be given to cleaning the ground. Parking of vehicles by the public will be permitted and no illegal activity will be allowed.
It can be recalled that tension had prevailed for a while near the deputy commissioner’s office in Shivamogga a week ago when a fence claiming the land to be a Waqf property was erected at the entrance of the Idgah Maidan.
Two religious groups exchanged heated arguments over the issue and Superintendent of Police G K Mithun Kumar had to intervene to bring the situation under control.
Muslims were allowed to hold special prayers at the Idgah Maidan in front of the deputy commissioner’s office on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr on Monday. On Tuesday, a 10-feet high fence was erected at the main entrance to the Idgah Maidan.
Usually, people visiting the commercial shops, banks and the deputy commissioner’s office near the Idgah Maidan park their vehicles on the ground.
However, on Tuesday, they had a tough time parking vehicles due to the fence. The local people insisted on its immediate removal.