Hindu Jagaran Vedike activists beat up truck driver to protect cows

Hindu Jagaran Vedike activists beat up truck driver to protect cows

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Oct 3, 2011 : A group of 50 people, allegedly belonging to a pro-Hindu outfit, beat up the driver of mini truck on NH 17 at Sarpanakatta check post.

The victim, identified as Rahamatullah M. Hussein of Venkatapur, Bhatkal, is now in the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Manipal. Two others who were in the mini truck Ahmed and Sauood managed to escape with minor injuries.

The crazed mob also attacked Ashok Venkataramana Gaonkar and Babu Patagar, two constables who were on duty at that time. The constables had tried to prevent the mob from beating up the driver after first confirming that the mini truck was empty and that the driver was not involved in illegal cow transportation.

 

Recalling his terrible experience in his complaint lodged at the Bhatkal Rural Police Station, Mr. Gaonkar stated that his attackers belonged to the Hindu Jagarana Vedike (HJV). He stated that the mob waylaid the mini truck on Saturday night, dragged out the driver, and began assaulting him. They also tried to destroy the empty vehicle and burn up the check post and when the constables tried to stop them, they attacked the constables too.

The police have arrested five HJS activists Hanumanth Naik, Sharath Masthappa Naik, Anand Naik, Ganesh Naik, and Dinesh Moger and have produced them in court. A manhunt has been launched for two more people.

Security beefed up

The atmosphere in Bhatkal, following this incident, was tense and uneasy, but the Bhatkal police managed to control the situation in time.

SP M. Narayan D., PSI Shivaprakash Naik, and PSI Naveen Kumar Jogi rushed to the spot and beefed up security.

Uttara Kannada DC Krishnaiah visited Bhatkal and urged the people to stay calm. He also held separate meeting with Hindu as well as Muslim leaders.

HJV speaks

HJV leaders have issued a provocative press statement in which they have not only justified the attack, but also threatened widespread communal violence in Bhatkal.

At a press conference held on Sunday, Govind Naik, the convener of the North Karnataka unit of HJV, claimed that the HJV is responsible for this attack.

Justifying the attack by stating that it is part of the struggle to protect cows, Naik has demanded that the cases registered against HJV activists should be withdrawn at the earliest possible. 
 

“If the police tried to suppress the Hindus, then the situation of the 1993, when the Bhatkal town witnessed prolonged communal violence, may recur”, he warned.