MANGALURU: Tension prevailed at Ulaibettu and Vamanjoor after 13 people were injured in a group clash on Friday night. Mangaluru Rural police have arrested 21 accused, including a minor.
According to a source, a group of miscreants pelted stones on a mini bus packed with members of two right-wing groups who were headed to the Datta Peetha.
Sources said the same miscreants waylaid a motorcycle and assaulted two men, one of whom lost four fingers in the attack.
The accused are residents of Ulaibettu and surrounding areas.
The accused have been remanded to judicial custody while the minor has been sent to a remand home after he was produced before a juvenile court. Police have registered a case against 23 others who are absconding, sources said.
Women Attacked
Babitha, Soumya and Yashodha were travelling in an autorickshaw to attend a family function in the area where the clash took place. Police said some of the miscreants stopped their autorickshaw and assaulted the women. News of the assault spread like wildfire and members of both the groups gathered at the spot and clashed.
The 13 people, who were injured, were rushed to a hospital.
Meanwhile, another group of miscreants pelted stones at a place of worship. The Mangaluru Rural police station was informed and a team led by inspector Rajesh rushed to the spot. No untoward incident was reported.
Police Commissioner R Hithendra and ACP Pavan Nejjur visited the spot and directed the police to stay alert. KSRP personnel were also deployed in the area.
A case was lodged against the miscreants. Interestingly the miscreants also lodged a case against those assaulted, accusing them of starting the attack.
Bandh Call on Monday
Demanding the arrest of the miscreants, members of the two right-wing groups staged a protest at Vamanjoor.
The protesters said if the police are unable to arrest all the miscreants by Sunday night, they will call for a Dakshina Kannada district bandh on Monday.