Mangaluru, 16 Sept

Tension prevailed in Katipalla town and BC road in Dakshina Kannada district on Monday after incidents of stone-pelting on two places of worship and clashes between two groups, police said.

The incidents of stone pelting at Katipalla town in Mangaluru taulk took place on late Sunday night, but due to quick action, the situation came under control and no untoward incidents were reported in the area. Window panes of the place of worship were shattered, they said.

According to police, the alleged stone pelters came on two bikes and sped off. Following the incident, heavy police deployment has been put in place.

In Buntwal taluk's BC road town, abutting National Highway 75, tension prevailed on Monday morning following an exchange of provocative statements between two groups on social media platforms.

Following this, the Dakshina Kannada district police said they have beefed up vigils right from Uppinangady on the eastern side of Buntwal and Panemangaluru on the western side.

According to the police, a case has been registered against VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders Sharan Pumpwell and Puneeth Attavar for making provocative statements.

The Mangaluru police, who have been constantly monitoring the social media platforms, are taking action against those who make provocative statements. Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal has already given a warning about this.

The above two incidents come against the backdrop of the violence that broke out during a Lord Ganesh idol procession in Mandya district last week.

According to police, an argument broke out between two groups, when the Lord Ganesha idol procession by devotees from Badarikoppalu village reached a place of worship and some miscreants hurled stones, which escalated the situation. Following the clashes between the two groups, a few shops were vandalised and vehicles set on fire, they added.

Police used mild force to disperse the crowd and manage the situation and 46 people were arrested in connection with the violence.-PTI