Honnavar violence: IGP's car set ablaze during protests 

The locals protest were demanding justice for the suspicious death of Paresh Mesta during the violence that took place in Honnavar recently when they burnt the vehicle.
Image for representational purpose only.
Image for representational purpose only.

KARWAR: Inspector general of police (Western Range) Hemanth Nimbalkar’s car was set on fire in Kumta on Monday during a protest demanding justice for the suspicious death of Paresh Mesta during the violence that took place in Honnavar recently.

The body of 21-year-old Paresh Mesta, who was missing, was found floating in a nearby lake in Honnavar after a series of clashes in the town. Condemning the death of Paresh and seeking justice, pro-Hindu outfits and the BJP had given an Uttara Kannada district bandh call on Monday. As part of the bandh, hundreds of activists and members of the public took out a procession through the main road of the town.

During the procession, some miscreants reportedly pelted stones at a vehicle belonging to a member of another community and a few stones were also pelted at the police. To control the crowd, the police resorted to a mild lathi-charge which only led to the violence escalating as more stones were hurled at the police and damaged buses and a police van as well as the IGP's car being set on fire. 

After this incident, the police resorted to caning the protesters who dispersed. More than 30 people including about 15 police were injured in the incident. Later, a prohibitory order was imposed under Section 144 of the CrPC to control the gathering of the public in the town. All shops remained closed in the town and bus service was stopped.

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