Puttur
Two groups clashed while cleaning the surroundings of Bhajan Mandir. Four people got injury and are admitted to hospital. This incident took place at Doddadka of Aryapu village of the taluk.
Locals said that the fight ensued over the land related to Bhajan Mandir.
Sarojini (58), wife of Doddadka Kogga Acharya of Aryapu village, her son Narayana (35), Poovappa Naika (44) and his wife Premalata (40) are the ones who got injured in the clash.
Narayana, one of the injured said, “The land on which the Bhajan Mandir is constructed was allotted to us in 1991 under Akrama Sakrama. My father built a Bhajana Mandir on that land and used to allow people of the village to hold bhajan programme. Later, the locals formed a bhajan group and are using that area for own use. A case is registered in this connection also. The court has also ordered a stay. Even then, the Bhajan Mandali group is holding activities on the land continuously. A complaint is lodged with the police and the police have also took undertaking not to hold any activities on the land.
“On Sunday, more than 50 people including Poovappa Naika, Venkatakrishna Bhat, Jagadeesha Bhandary, Rukmayya Moolya and Sesappa Naika were working on the disputed land. When my mother Sarojini questioned them, they assaulted her severely and also threatened with life. They also tried to kill my mother by keeping the hay saw machine on the neck of my mother. Her hand has got serious injury. In addition, they attacked me and our family members Poojashree and Deepa with wooden logs.”
In a counter complaint, Poovappa Naika accused the rival group and said, “As Anniversary celebration will be held at Doddadka Bhajana Mandira on April 29, around 60 people were cleaning the surroundings of Mandir. During that time, Sarojini Acharya, Narayana, Poojashree and Deepa arrived on the spot and assaulted me and my wife.”
A case in this connection is registered in Puttur rural police station. Further investigation is on.
