Karnataka: Clashes between two groups over community hall construction

Statue of Maharshi Valmiki has been installed in the village and Valmiki community members were measuring the lands for the construction of Valmiki Community Hall.

Belagavi: Clashes between two groups belonging to Scheduled Classes were witnessed over support and objection for the Valmiki Community Hall to be constructed at Deshnur village in Bailhongal taluk on Wednesday.

In the melee, stone pelting incidents took place in which house of one of the persons was been damaged.

Statue of Maharshi Valmiki has been installed in the village,. while Valmiki community members were measuring the lands for the construction of Valmiki Community Hall.

Sadashiv Bhajantri, who resides near the statue and site, took exception for the proposed hall leading to in-fights between the two groups, sources said.

In some of the videos, it is seen that both the groups were attacking and abusing each other.

Valmiki community members alleged that Bhajantri was obstructing to the construction of the community hall and blamed him for the desecration of statue of Maharshi Valmiki.

Superintendent of Police K Ramarajan, who visited the spot, said police personnel have been deployed in the village and situation was under control.

"We shall verify the videos that have surfaced and take action against those responsible for the violence. A house being damaged too has come to notice and inquiry of who was responsible for it will be conducted and appropriate action will be taken," he said.