Communal clash in Gadag, three held

The town witnessed tense moments after people belonging to two different communities clashed over the use of the loudspeaker in front of Jumma Masjid on Thursday night.

The police swung into action, caned the mob and brought the situation under control. Based on the CCTV footage, three persons have been arrested, Gadag SP K Santoshbabu told DH.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad has organised a rally to elicit people’s opinion for the construction of Ram Mandir in Gadag on Sunday. An autorickshaw fitted with a mike and a loudspeaker was plying on city roads to publicise the rally. A group of people stopped the publicity vehicle when it approached the mosque. The group urged the rickshaw driver not to use loudspeaker near the shrine. Soon, a clash ensued between the groups. Tension gripped the area for a while before the police brought the situation under control.