Kundapur, Dec 4, 2014 : The arrest of two persons including a Hindu Jagarana Vedike leader by the police in connection with the recent Jamliya Complex fire, has sparked a violent protest in Gangolli. On December 4, Thursday, over 10,000 people including a large number of women participated in a massive protest rally organised in the town to condemn the arrest. Meanwhile stone throwing incidents were reported during the rally resulting in damages to several shops. Most of the shops also remained shut and buses off the roads during the day.
Normal life was also disrupted in the town as the huge rally passed through the entire town before culminating near the police station at Gujjadi. Vasu Devadiga, an HJV leader and another person named Siddhu were arrested by the police on December 3, Wednesday.
The protestors even forcibly entered the police station premises by removing the barricades set up by the cops and demanded that the arrested be released immediately.
The police who had a tough time in controlling the situation assured to release the arrested, but the protestors were adamant that they be released immediately. They also demanded that ACP Annamalai whose team arrested the two, must tender an apology.
The protestors argued that those arrested were innocents. Tingale Vikramarjun Hegde, District BJP Chief, Kota Srinivas Poojari, MLC, BM Sukumar Shetty, Byndoor BJP Chief and several others were part of the protest.