Ulaibettu: VHP and Bajarang Dal call for bandh on Dec 8; Police Clamp Sec. 144

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 7, 2014: With communal tensions rising in the aftermath of the alleged beating up of a group of Datta Peetha pilgrims at Ulaibettu near Gurpur on December 5, the city police have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144, which disallows assembly of more than ten people in an area.

It may be recalled that some Hindu outfits including Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal had alleged that some Muslims had attacked few Hindu pilgrims who were preparing to go on annual visit to Datta Peeta at Bababudana Giri in Chikmagalur district.

 

 

Following this, VHP and Bajrang Dal had called for bandh on Monday December 8 in Ulaibettu, Gurpur and surrounding areas to protest the attack.

It was announced that the towns of Gurpur Edapadavu, Bajpe, Yekkur, Kateel, Kaikamba, Vamanjoor and Neermarga will observe bandh from 6 am to 6 pm. VHP and Bajrang Dal had also said they would take out a protest march from Gurpur junction at 10 am the same morning.

As Datta Peeta – Bababunagiri controversy has often been a cause for communal unrest, the city police commissioner R Hitendra had little choice but to issue prohibitory orders as a precautionary measure.

As per the order, provisions under Section 144 will be applicable to Ulaibettu and other areas within a 1.5 km radius. However essential services, places of worship and educational institutions are exempt and can function normally.