Ban orders in Sakharayapattana, following violence in town

Police had to cane angry mob to bring the situation under control, as people took on to violence after a clash broke out between two groups over an issue related to water supply to Brahmasamudra lake from Ayyanakere lake in the taluk, on Friday. A prohibitory order has been clamped in Sakharayapattana  today as per Section 144.

Villagers of Bisalehalli, Banuru, Chikkabanuru and Pillenahalli had staged a protest in Sakharayapattana on Friday, demanding the release of water from Ayyanakere to Brahmanakere, while the people of Sakharayapattana carried out an agitation urging not to release water to Brahmanakere.

No consensus

Although Tarikere Assistant Commissioner B B Saroja, Tahsildar M Bhagya and Police Inspector K Satyanarayana called the protesters from both the parties to police station and tried to convince them, the agitators refused to arrive at a consensus. Assistant Commissioner even assured of conducting a meeting with the minor irrigation department officials and the leaders to solve the issue amicably.

After the meeting, two groups indulged in a war of words, after gathering near KSRTC bus stand. The situation turned worse when the verbal exchange further led to stone pelting. Some provoked members grabbed sticks and started assaulting each other.

Following the pandemonium, the general public ran helter-skelter to protect themselves. Women entered the police station premises for safety. A bank ATM and several buses were damaged during stone pelting.

Police rushed to the spot and resorted to lathi charge to disperse the crowd. People who were injured during the lathi charge were admitted to the hospital.

Patrolling in town

Police Inspector K Satyanarayana, Sub-inspector Sunitha, C Rakesh, Vishwanath and others carried out patrolling in the town. Owners of shops, hotels and commercial establishments pulled down the shutters while vehicles stayed off the road.

Tahsildar Bhagya said that prohibitory order has been imposed in Sakharayapattana on Saturday.