3 more shops gutted in Shimoga

A sugar cane juice stall belonging to one Syed Noor near private bus stand, a pan shop adjacent to it and a fruit stall owned by Hasina Banu near old Tunga bridge were burnt.
The total loss in the three incidents is said to exceed Rs one lakh.

Police have informed that the incidents took place by 11.30 pm. They said that miscreants with the motive to disturb peace and amity were behind the incidents.

In a complaint lodged with police, Syed Noor who owns the juice stall has said that the incident was not a mishap but arson. The fruit juice centre near old Tunga bridge was also completely charred and a case has been registered in this connection.

Two shops and a bus were gutted on wee hours of Wednesday which triggered panic and confusion among the people.

The incidents recurred though police were deployed in large numbers in the City.

District administration has decided to form a special team comprising of police and civilians to patrol the City during night.

Police have confirmed that two shops which were gutted at wee hours of Wednesday were incidents of arson, while the bus was burnt due to electric short circuit.