<p>Shivamogga: Tension prevailed for a while near the deputy commissioner’s office in Shivamogga on Tuesday when a fence claiming the land to be a Waqf property was erected at the entrance of the Idgah Maidan.</p><p>Two groups exchanged heated arguments over the issue and Superintendent of Police G K Mithun Kumar had to intervene to bring the situation under control.</p><p>Muslims were allowed to hold special prayers at the Idgah Maidan in front of the deputy commissioner’s office on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr on Monday. On Tuesday, a 10-feet high fence was erected at the main entrance to the Idgah Maidan.</p><p>Usually, people visiting the commercial shops, banks and the deputy commissioner’s office near the Idgah Maidan park their vehicles on the ground. However, on Tuesday, they had a tough time parking vehicles due to the fence. The local people insisted on its immediate removal.</p><p>Vishwa Hindu Parishad and BJP leaders who rushed to the spot said the land belonged to the city corporation. Muslims were only allowed to hold prayers there. Erecting a fence without the permission of the city corporation was illegal and demanded that it be removed.</p><p>However, the Idgah Maidan committee members claimed it was the Waqf Committee’s land and not public land. They organise religious programmes, including prayers on the ground, and they would not allow vehicles to park there. “We have secured our land legally,” they said.</p><p>This led to a verbal duel and a tense situation, forcing Jayanagar police to intervene.</p><p>Vishwa Hindu Parishad and BJP leaders then launched a dharna on the spot, demanding to file an FIR against those who erected the fence illegally, and its removal.</p><p>SP G K Mithun Kumar, who reached the spot, listened to the protesters’ plea. He told them that the land ownership needs to be discussed with the City Corporation officials. The fence can be removed only after getting clarity on the ownership.</p><p>Assuring that the issue would be resolved, the SP appealed to withdraw the dharna. Responding to this, the protesters withdrew the dharna.</p><p>VHP leaders Ramesh Jadhav and Suresh Babu, BJP leaders Mohan Reddy, Deendayal, Shivanand and Kiran were present on the occasion.</p>
<p>Shivamogga: Tension prevailed for a while near the deputy commissioner’s office in Shivamogga on Tuesday when a fence claiming the land to be a Waqf property was erected at the entrance of the Idgah Maidan.</p><p>Two groups exchanged heated arguments over the issue and Superintendent of Police G K Mithun Kumar had to intervene to bring the situation under control.</p><p>Muslims were allowed to hold special prayers at the Idgah Maidan in front of the deputy commissioner’s office on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr on Monday. On Tuesday, a 10-feet high fence was erected at the main entrance to the Idgah Maidan.</p><p>Usually, people visiting the commercial shops, banks and the deputy commissioner’s office near the Idgah Maidan park their vehicles on the ground. However, on Tuesday, they had a tough time parking vehicles due to the fence. The local people insisted on its immediate removal.</p><p>Vishwa Hindu Parishad and BJP leaders who rushed to the spot said the land belonged to the city corporation. Muslims were only allowed to hold prayers there. Erecting a fence without the permission of the city corporation was illegal and demanded that it be removed.</p><p>However, the Idgah Maidan committee members claimed it was the Waqf Committee’s land and not public land. They organise religious programmes, including prayers on the ground, and they would not allow vehicles to park there. “We have secured our land legally,” they said.</p><p>This led to a verbal duel and a tense situation, forcing Jayanagar police to intervene.</p><p>Vishwa Hindu Parishad and BJP leaders then launched a dharna on the spot, demanding to file an FIR against those who erected the fence illegally, and its removal.</p><p>SP G K Mithun Kumar, who reached the spot, listened to the protesters’ plea. He told them that the land ownership needs to be discussed with the City Corporation officials. The fence can be removed only after getting clarity on the ownership.</p><p>Assuring that the issue would be resolved, the SP appealed to withdraw the dharna. Responding to this, the protesters withdrew the dharna.</p><p>VHP leaders Ramesh Jadhav and Suresh Babu, BJP leaders Mohan Reddy, Deendayal, Shivanand and Kiran were present on the occasion.</p>
