10 injured in Dalit-Nayaka clash

The trouble began around 5 pm, when a dalit youth allegedly in an inebriated condition came near Maramma Temple in the village. The village was in a festive mood with Deviyamma Jathre and bullock cart race was on.

The youth was reportedly wearing footwear and abused people belonging to Nayaka community. This triggered the clash, with the Nayaka people chasing the youth to his house. The mob barged into the youth’s house, ransacked the property and assaulted him. They also set the house on afire, besides a tractor and an autorickshaw parked outside.

The T Narsipur Police who had by then arrived at the village lathi charged the mob.  But the mob didn’t relent, instead started pelting stones at the cops injuring In-charge Inspector Ashok Kumar, a few constables and also three citizens. The injured have been rushed to K R Hospital in Mysore for treatment. The situation came under control when the prominent leaders of both the communities called for peace.

However, as a precautionary measure extra forces have been summoned with District Armed Reserve (DAR) and Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) personnel deputed at the
village.

The village has a large population of Nayaka community with about 2,500 members, with SC totalling about 100. However, no arrests have been made so far and the youth, the cause behind the whole incident is yet to be identified, said a police.