Bagalkot returning to normalcy; entry of Mutalik, Kerehalli barred for a month

Bagalkot city, which witnessed two instances of stone pelting and subsequent tension on Thursday and Friday, is slowly returning to normalcy, with people carrying out day-to-day transactions without any hassles on Saturday.

However, as a precautionary measure, the police have beefed up security, especially around the Panka mosque and surrounding areas where the instances of violence were reported. In a related development, Bagalkot Deputy Commissioner Sangappa has issued separate orders prohibiting entry of Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Mutalik and Hindutva activist Punith Kerehalli to Bagalkot district till March 21.

Despite the prohibitory orders still in place, the police allowed the Hindu convention to be held in Navanagar, and it concluded without any untoward incident.

Meanwhile, the number of arrests in connection with instances of violence on Thursday and Friday have gone up to 10. The police have arrested eight persons, including one identified as Tanveer, who has been charged with pelting stones, based on the available video footage. Two more persons have been arrested in connection with Friday’s instance of stone pelting at meat shops.

In a related incident, Ashok Baraker, an activist of Hindu Jagaran Vedike, broke his hand after he fell while trying to escape being caught by the police. In his statement, Mr. Baraker said that he was proceeding to participate in the ‘Hindu Samavesh’ on Sunday, and at Ambedkar Circle, police personnel chased him with lathis. “Out of fear, I tried to run away, fell down, and broke my hand. After falling down, I was taken to the Town Police Station. Subsequently my brother brought me to the hospital for treatment,” he told the press.

Taking exception to the development, Viranna Charantimath, former MLA, has alleged that the police were trying to fuel further violence by trying to arrest Hindu youths. .

On Saturday, Mr. Charantimath visited a private hospital to enquire about the health of Prakash Arakeri, a Hindutva activist who was allegedly injured in stone pelting. He demanded that there should be inquiry into who instigated the accused persons to throw stones at the procession.