BJP, Congress workers clash in Udupi town, 10 injured

The Udupi police resorted to lathi charge to disperse the clashing Congress and the BJP workers here during the nationwide bandh call given by the Congress and other political parties, on Monday.

As the arguments between the Congress and BJP workers turned violent, the police wielded the lathi to quell the mob. In the melee, several persons, including CMC members, were injured.

During the clash, BJP CMC member Prabhakar Poojary was injured while in the lathi charge more than 10 persons, including Congress CMC member Ramesh Kanchan, Vijay Poojary, R K Ramesh, Girish Anchan were injured.

It all began when the Congress workers were taking out a protest march against the rise in fuel prices. A BJP worker shouted slogans in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This led to an altercation between the Congress and BJP workers. As the argument continued, a Congress worker pelted stones at BJP CMC member Prabhakar Poojary, which escalated tension in Udupi town.

Though the police appealed to maintain law and order, both BJP and Congress workers continued the heated exchange and attempted to assault each other in the presence of SP Lakshman Nimbargi.

To bring the situation under control, the police personnel, including SP, resorted lathi charge.

The Udupi police have booked cases against 10 persons who were part of violence on the charges for unlawful assembly and obstructing the government officers on duty.

Of 10, six are BJP workers and four are from Congress. All are being treated at the government hospital and once they are discharged, the police will take them into custody, said SP Lakshman Nimbargi.

Following the incident, Udupi Tahsildar Pradeep Kurdekar clamped Prohibitory Orders in Udupi CMC jurisdiction, till 6 am of September 11.

Accordingly, public meetings, assembly of five or more persons and processions are banned.

Additional police personnel have been deployed in Udupi to prevent any untoward incidents.

No bus service

All the private and KSRTC buses did not operate in Udupi district following the bandh. However, the BJP supported the business establishments and the taxi and auto drivers continued their business to oppose the bandh call against the Central government.

The city, service and KSRTC bus shelters wore a deserted look.

In Byndoor, the Congress workers, led by former MLA Gopal Poojary, staged a protest on the national highway. In Brahmavar and Saligrama, the bandh call evoked a good response, affecting the normal life.
In Kundapur, there was a mixed response to the bandh call, the Congress workers stopped the heavy vehicles carrying goods at Shastri Circle. The protesters tried in vain to close the banks. The police intervention stopped them from forcibly shutting down the business establishments.

There was a mixed response for the bandh in Karkala, Kaup and Padubidri. The members led by former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake staged a protest in Kaup.