Communal clashes break out in Belagavi, ACP injured

www.mangaloretoday.com

Belagavi, Nov 16, 2017 (DHNS): Assistant commissioner of Police (ACP) Shankar Marihal has been seviourly injured in the stone pelting during the communal riots that took place in Belagavi on Wednesday night. The incident took place in Belagavi market station limits of Kadakgalli, Jaalgargalli, Badkalgalli and Kanjargalli.

The district administration immediately took the necessary steps to control the mob by using the additional police force that had come for the security of winter session.

Talking to media, Police Commissioner Krishna Bhat said, "Regular police patrolling is being done in the sensitive areas. Situation is under control."

Groups from both sides threw stones, damaged houses and set vehicles on fire. Residents’ screams were heard till Khade Bazaar and shop owners downed their shutters as soon as the trouble broke out. What triggered the clashes remains unclear though rumours kept doing the rounds. Unconfirmed reports said gunshots were heard, but it is unclear whether police had fired them.

The Market police sent reinforcements to the spot and were making all efforts to contain the situation and prevent the violence from spreading to other parts of the city.