Bhatkal, Murdeshwar tense; mosques stoned

Bhatkal, Murdeshwar tense; mosques stoned

Mangalore Today News Network

Bhatkal, April 30, 2016 :  The tourist town of Murdeshwar as well as the town of Bhatkal are tense  since April 28, Thursday night following an incident that took place at Murdeshwar during a marriage procession the previous day.  Mosques in the town have been stoned and police have maintained a strict vigil  to avert any further untoward incident.

 

It is learnt, on April 27  Wednesday a marriage procession with loud DJ Music and fire crackers was passing through the local mosque when prayers were underway. Source said a person named Ifzal requested the people in the procession to turn off the music until prayers were over.

His request went unheeded and someone in the procession hurled a stone towards Ifzal who too reportedly retaliated resulting in injuries to a person.  It was said that many people who were in the procession were under the influence of alcohol.

As soon as this news spread  several people gathered at Bhatkal circle demanding the arrest of Ifzal. Tension escalated as people of both communities  arrived at the place. To add to the problem, as a large police force was already deployed in Murdeshwar, there were  a few police men in Bhatkal who initially struggled to bring the situation under control. Later  additional police forces were summoned.

  Meanwhile, on Thursday night  two masjids  were stoned in Murdeshwar. Even window panes of a house were damaged, reportedly by four people who arrived by a  bike.  Soon after people began gathering in large numbers demanding the arrest of the miscreants.

It has been gathered that Ifzal who had reportedly hurled stones at the marriage procession, has been arrested.

Senior police officials are camping in the towns of Murdeshwar and Bhatkal to oversee the situation.