Dharmasthala: Clash breaks out between two groups amid SIT probe; police resort to 'lathi charge'

Mangaluru: Amid the SIT probe into the mass burial case in Dharmasthala, two groups clashed near the town on Wednesday with a few YouTubers being targeted, leading to a lathi charge by the police to disperse the crowd.

Later in the night, one group protested in front of the Dharmasthala police station demanding action against those “tarnishing the image of the holy place”. As the protest intensified, IGP (Western Range) Amit Singh and Dakshina Kannada SP Dr Arun K visited the police station.

The SP said the situation was under control. A case was registered in connection with the assault on YouTubers, damage to two of their vehicles and the assault on a reporter from a private news channel. Additional cases are being registered for unlawful assembly at Pangala in Dharmasthala (where the lathi charge took place), within the premises of the Dharmasthala police station and in front of a hospital in Ujire.

The injured YouTubers were admitted to a hospital in Ujire. According to a preliminary medical examination, doctors treating the injured confirmed that no serious injuries had been reported. Video footage of the incidents will be reviewed, and appropriate legal action will follow, the SP said.

Earlier in the day, Bigg Boss contestant Rajath visited the residence of Sowjanya, whose disappearance had led to a controversy, in Pangala. On learning about this, several YouTubers gathered near Pangala Road to speak to him. At that point, a group confronted them, and an argument ensued.

Ajay Anchan of the YouTube channel Kudla Rampage, Abhishek, a cameraman from United Media, and Vijay of Sanchari Studio were reportedly assaulted in Pangala.

Some members of the group alleged that certain YouTubers were spreading false information regarding the SIT investigation and proceeded to attack them. Two video cameras were damaged, and the windshield of a vehicle displaying Sowjanya’s photo was shattered, according to sources.

In protest, a group claiming to support Sowjanya staged a demonstration near Pangala Road. Simultaneously, another group arrived at the spot, accusing the former of deliberately trying to tarnish the image of the region. A heated argument broke out between the two groups. As tensions escalated, the police once again resorted to a mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd.

Police dispersing the crowd at Dharmasthala village. 

Meanwhile, a reporter from a private Kannada news channel, who had gone to cover the incident, was also reportedly assaulted, according to sources from the channel.

Earlier in the day, Keerthi Kumar U, a Bengaluru-based social activist and YouTuber, met the SIT and raised concerns about alleged information leaks from the probe. In a memorandum submitted to the SIT chief, he urged action against those allegedly spreading misinformation.