Communal clash at Virajpet in Karnataka

More than twenty persons including four policemen were injured in communal clash that took place in Virajpet town of Kodagu district in Karnataka on Tuesday evening.

Police said groups of youth fought pitched battles on the streets, indulged in stone throwing and ransacking shops and business establishments. Virajpet’s Inspector of Police Gajendra Prasad and three constables were hit by soda bottle hits during the clash.

Trouble began when two youths went to a phone booth and asked the owner for one rupee coins to make calls. When the owner refused, the youths began to abuse the owner, who thrashed them. The fracas soon took a communal turn with members of both communities gathering in large numbers.

The police found themselves outnumbered by the rioters and were unable to curb the violence. Miscreants began setting fire to vehicles and shops as the police struggled disperse the mobs. Additional reinforcements from the District Armed Reserve (DAR) and Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) force were deployed and prohibitory orders were clamped on the town.

Inspector General of Police (South) R P Sharma rushed to Virajpet town to supervise the security arrangements.

An uneasy calm prevailed in Virajypet yesterday. However, No fresh incident of trouble was reported from the town. “Trouble has been nipped in the bud”, Sharma told reporters.