Headline: Belagavi remains tense post communal riots
THE GOAN NETWORK
BELAGAVI
Belagavi city is still reeling under the grip of communal riots that rocked the city on September 28, with state political leaders now engaged in provocative allegations against each other.
Communal tension had intensified after the conspicuous presence of an old grave belonging to Muslim community that was located after excavations in the city corporation owned proposed parking area inside the city.
On the night of September 28, a mob of over 500 people had emerged in the communally sensitive Khadak Galli and Khanjar Galli, leading to violence and injuries to some persons, including a police sub inspector.
Police have arrested 15 persons from both communities, including a corporator, and a few Sri Ram Sene leaders in this connection.
The Karnataka government immediately dashed the State Planning Board Vice-Chairman C M Ibrahim to take stock of the situation, while the BJP state unit also rushed a delegation of MLAs to probe the actual turn of events that resulted in the clash.
According to BJP team comprising C T Ravi, Laxman Savadi and Sanjay Patil, a reality check will be done by the team to find out what reasons led to the clash and who instigated people to resort to violence.
The delegation that visited the trouble-hit area, however, claimed the riots were “preplanned”.
Accusing Belgaum North MLA Feroz Sait of instigating and masterminding the riots, MLA C T Ravi demanded a judicial probe into the clash to ensure justice to the affected and punishment to culprits.
The BJP team also alleged that the grave which caused the communal clash was a fake monument and established to encroach a public place. He has demanded the immediate removal of the grave to ensure peace and harmony.
Meanwhile, MLA Feroz Sait has refuted the allegations made by the BJP leaders, denouncing them as frivolous and politically motivated.
“People of Karnataka are aware about the communal image of the team members some of whom were involved in fuelling ethnic tension in parts of Karnataka. I will be going to the court against these leaders who are involved in the process of polarization of Hindu votes. Let them prove their allegations in the court,” MLA Sait told The Goan.
Meanwhile, as the city reels under the grip of ethnic tension, security has been beefed up in the sensitive areas where the riots took place last week.
Blurb: Communal tension had intensified after the conspicuous presence of an old grave belonging to Muslim community that was located after excavations in the city corporation owned proposed parking area inside the city
