Associates of city MLA behind Kuripalya clash: former minister

Police detain 15 persons in connection with Thursday evening clash

Former minister Sogadu Shivanna has alleged that the associates of City MLA Rafique Ahmed were behind the clash that erupted during a gambling session at Kuripalya Layout on Thursday evening.

In a press meet held here on Friday, the former minister told reporters, “The associates of MLA Rafique Ahmed - Syed, Arkeesh and Mubarak - created a ruckus at the den after having lost lakhs of rupees in gambling. According to the locals, had it not been for timely intervention of SP Isha Pant and staff, the situation would have turned worse. The perpetrators of the clash are into moneylending business and are part of ganja mafia. All three are rowdy-sheeters,” he added.

“In yesterday’s (Thursday) clash, the window panes, sheets and doors of several houses have been damaged. four to five two-wheelers were vandalised. The miscreants threw stones at a temple in the area. Two youths Girish and Naveen were assaulted during the clash. The clash has created a panic among the residents of Karipalya Layout,” the former minister said.

He said, “The members of Muslim community are saying that because of three persons the entire community is put to shame. The police should initiate stringent action against those involved in the incident,” Shivanna demanded.

Ganja and drug mafia is thriving in Kuripalya. A meat stall has been set up in front of a temple. The police should take measures to put a curb on the menace, the former minister urged.

He demanded that the Palike and the police should take steps to provide amenities and security to the houses damaged during the clash. BJP leaders K P Mahesh, M B Nandeesh and others were present.

Extermination of culprits
Meanwhile, the office-bearers of district BJP and the party workers on Friday submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner K P Mohan Raj, seeking the latter to initiate tough action against the perpetrators of Kuripalya clash and take steps to maintain law and order in the city.

BJP district president Jyoti Ganesh has said that miscreants belonging to a particular community had attacked Hindus and damaged the houses and the vehicles belonging to the latter. “According to the police, the clash erupted over a trivial reason. But a few vested interests tried to capitalise on the situation by throwing stones at houses and vandalising vehicles,” the BJP district president alleged.

He demanded that a police outpost be set up at Kuripalya and the perpetrators be exterminated. BJP district unit office-bearers Shivaprasad,  Raveeshaiah, Hanumantharaju, Halanuru Lepakshi and others were present.