Tension in Bellary as BJP, Cong. groups clash

By Our Staff Correspondent

BELLARY, JUNE 30. Tension gripped Bellary city on Satuday following a clash between the supporters of the BJP and the Congress. The Ashraya Committee Chairman, Mr. Narayana Rao (Chitti) and Mr. Sriramulu of the BJP, and Mr. Nagabhushan, Councillor, were among those who were injured.

Besides the assault on Mr. Narayan Rao, the office of the Minister of State for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj on the municipal council premises, was ransacked, and Mr. Narayan Rao's vehicle, which was parked in front of the office, was damaged allegedly by the supporters of Mr. Sriramulu. They also pelted stones at the office.

Mr. Sriramulu, along with his supporters, reportedly entered the office of the minister and ransacked it. The glass partition was broken and chairs were thrown out of the office.

The BJP version was that Mr. Narayan Rao and his supporters had "chided" the people who were going to the municipal office stating that the "BJP (which was till recently controlling the affairs of the municipal council) would not do its work. An enraged Mr. Sriramulu was then reported to have entered the minister's office where Mr. Narayan Rao was sitting with others. After a heated exchange, the office was ransacked and Mr. Narayan Rao was assaulted.

According to Mr. Narayan Rao, the BJP leaders were unable to tolerate members of the public coming to the minister's office, and wanted it to be vacated. During the argument, Mr. Sriramulu and his supporters had attacked him and ransacked the office, he alleged.

Meanwhile, a 500-strong mob and Mr. Sriramulu gathered in front of the municipal office and blocked the movement of vehicular traffic for some time. They also shouted slogans.

Police had a tough time in maintaining law and order. The atmosphere was tense when the BJP supporters were not ready to quit the place until Mr. Narayan Rao left and vice-versa. Additional Support from the District Armed Reserve and from other police stations was drawn by the police.

However, police officials, led by Mr. S.V.Sirsi, Dy. SP (Bellary City), and the Assistant Commissioner, Mr. Ashok, pursuaded both the groups to leave the place, and prevented the situation from going out of control.

Later, Mr. Javed Akhthar, Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Alok Mohan, SP and Mr. K.P.Puttaswamy, Additional SP, visited the spot. A case and a counter case have been registered. No arrests have been made.

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Section  : Southern States
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