Shivamogga clashes: 4 suspects involved in stabbing incident arrested; town residents asked to stay at home

Shivamogga (Karnataka): A day after clashes took place here on Monday between two communities over putting up banners of Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and 18th century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan, the Shivamogga Police stated that the law-and-order situation in the Karnataka town is under control.

Alok Kumar, ADGP Law and Order, said that they have deployed additional forces in the town and asked people to stay inside homes unless it is necessary to venture out. Further, Kumar informed, the police have arrested the four accused in connection with the stabbing incident that took place yesterday.

Police stated that 20-year-old Prem Singh was stabbed following the clashes in Shivamogga. The authorities had imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the IPC after the clashes.

“We have arrested four people. We will interrogate them to find out any background and ideological support to them, or their ideological leanings,” the ADGP said.

He added that the police will undertake patrolling for the next three days and after reviewing the situation, the next course of action will be decided.

“We'll take stringent action. The investigation is going on related to a stabbing incident that happened yesterday. We're asking people to not come out unnecessarily. We'll seize their (accused) properties, we'll inform the same to DC. We've deployed enough police personnel. We already have 15 platoons and have also asked for more. The situation is under control as of now,” ADGP Kumar said.

ADGP Kumar further told reporters that the stab victim, Prem, is a native of Rajasthan and was employed at a garment shop here. Singh had no involvement in the clashes but was stabbed by the four accused.

The remarks came as one of the suspects believed to be involved in the clashes and stabbing incident was shot in the leg by police on Tuesday after he allegedly tried to attack the cops who had gone to detain him.

The suspect, Mohammed Zabi alias Charbi (30), a resident of Marnami Bailu, has now been hospitalised after the incident.

In connection with the stabbing of Prem, the police have registered a case of attempt to murder under Section 307 of IPC against Nadeem, Tanveer, Charbi and Abdul Rehman.

The district administration has closed schools and colleges in Bhadravati and Shivamogga towns today as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, Shivamogga BJP MLA KS Eshwarappa triggered a controversy with his remarks on the stabbing incident. He said:

“I request senior members of the Muslim community to take action against the youth of their community involved in such anti-national activities. If Hindu society rises, then such activities won't survive.

“We in Karnataka want to ban SDPI and PFI. We are watching what the Central government is doing on this.”