C'magalur tense as vandals desecrate place of worship

Ban orders in force; Cops appeal public to maintain calm

Deputy Commissioner B S Shekarappa said that miscreants have tried to desecrate a dargah situated on Shareef Galli. The district administration has initiated measures to nab the culprits and strict action will be initiated against them.

Speaking to mediapersons after convening peace meeting on Saturday, he said that Section 144 will be in force till Sunday midnight and the situation is under control. The sale of liquor is banned during the period. All the religious heads and political party leaders have been appealed to maintain peace. A peace committee has been constituted. The meeting has also decided to initiate measures to install CCTV cameras at the place worships.

He said the religious heads have been asked not to use provocative speeches during any religious meetings or festivals. If anyone found violating the guidelines, will have to face the music.

The religious heads in the meeting took a pledge to work towards peace and harmony.
Doddakurubarahalli mutt seer Jayabasavananda Swamiji, MLA C T Ravi, DCC President Dr L Vijayakumar, Muslim leaders Athikh Khaisar, K Mohammed, JD(S) district president H S Manjappa, CPI leaders Renukaradhya and others attended the meeting.

Probe teams

IGP (Western Range) Prathap Reddy has said that investigation teams will be constituted based on the complaint filed by the public in connection with the untoward incidents, reported in Chikmagalur on Saturday.

Answering a query on forcible closure of shops, he said that based on the complaint, we will probe into the incident. “An incident to desecrate a place of worship has taken place. Deputy Commissioner, ACP, and the police have visited the spot. Dargah Samithi members have appealed to the DC to initiate action against the culprits.”

Security has been beefed up on M G Road, to ensure that the clash between two groups do not recur.

ASI Sunitha along with four others were injured following stone pelting at Andechathra. The police had to resort to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd, he said.

The IGP said that Section 144 has been imposed in Chikmagalur City. Additional police forces from Udupi, Shimoga, Hassan district along with KSRP platoons have been deployed to maintain law and order. No one has been arrested in the incident, he clarified.