Mangaluru Riots: Tensions prevail in Kalladka as police arrest 18, impose clampdown under Section 144

Kalladka was on fire again as a personal altercation between persons of two different communities turned into a full-fledged riot. Police have arrested 18 people in total and registered nine cases.

Two policemen and three youths were injured when the two groups resorted to stone pelting during the riots. Soon after the stone pelting, district police beefed up security by deploying 12 KSRP platoons, 6 DAR platoons and 400 officers drawn from Western Range.

Ratnakar Shetty, one of the culprits who was also injured in the stone pelting and was being treated at Adarsh hospital, has escaped despite heavily police security around the hospital, reported Suvarna News. He is a member of Puttur's Hindu Jagaran Vedike. The incident occurred on June 15, 2017, at 2 am after giving two policemen the slip.

In recent riots, four more people were injured, and vehicles including a Maruti Omni van and a bike were damaged. One house and five shops were also damaged. Police sources have revealed that the situation is tense but under control.

Harishekaran, IGP, Western Range visited the district and said that strict action would be taken against the culprits involved. He also urged the police to do a lot more patrolling in the areas instead of being confined to their stations.

RSS leader Dr Kalladka Prabhkar Bhat said that the quarrel was between two groups, but it is being labelled as a communal issue.
The police have imposed Section 144 of Indian Penal Code in Bantwal town. The police are maintaining round-the-clock vigilance. 

UPDATE

• kalladka
• riots
• communal