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Tension in Hallikeri after man's death

Special Correspondent

Congress team beats hasty retreat as people gherao it

GADAG: Karibasappa, 40, of the Valmiki community, who was injured in a clash between Dalits and caste Hindus in Hallikeri village three weeks ago, died here on Wednesday.

His death comes a week after a Dalit, who was injured in the clash, died at a Gadag hospital.

Karibasappa was among those who had been arrested in connection with the clash. He was allegedly picked up by the police four to five days ago from a hospital where he was undergoing treatment. He was released on bail on Tuesday. While the police attribute his death to poor health, people suspect foul play.

The situation in the village was tense as the news of the death spread. A three-member team of the Congress comprising Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary Prakash Rathod; B.S. Patil Sasnur, former Minister; and S.S. Patil, Mundargi MLA; had to face people's ire when they visited the village on Wednesday on a fact-finding mission. Angry villagers gheraoed the committee members who had a harrowing time before they could leave the village.

Police have rushed additional forces to the village.

A clash broke out between Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe youths on August 10 over the question of having tea at a hotel run by a Scheduled Tribe member. Caste Hindus backed the Scheduled Tribes as a result of which a social boycott was imposed on the Scheduled Castes.

Five Dalit youths were injured in the clash, and one of them died.

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