Date:20/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/20/stories/2005122009230400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Five injured in poll-related clash in village near Bidadi

Staff Reporter

Vehicles damaged, house set on fire in Thayappanadoddi

INJURED IN CLASH: D. Lakshminarayana, Congress candidate who was attacked, allegedly by Janata Dal (S) workers at Thayappanadoddi on Sunday, standing in front of his damaged vehicle outside the Bidadi police station on Monday. — Photo: K. Mura li Kumar

BANGALORE: At least five people were injured, a few vehicles damaged and a house was set on fire during a poll-related clash between Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) workers at a village in the Bidadi police station limits in Bangalore Rural district on Sunday.

The mood in Bidadi in Ramanagaram taluk was tense on Monday as hundreds of Congress supporters staged a demonstration in front of the Bidadi police station demanding action against the JD(S) workers.

The police said that a group of JD(S) workers went to Thayappanadoddi village, off Bidadi, on Sunday evening to campaign for the party candidates contesting the zilla and taluk panchayat elections.

Congress workers object

Congress supporters in Thayappanadoddi reportedly objected to the JD(S) workers campaigning in their village. This led to a clash between the workers of the two parties, the police said.

The Congress candidate from the Bidadi Zilla Panchayat constituency, D. Lakshminarayana, and four others were injured in the clash. A few multi-utility vehicles, in which the JD(S) workers had come, were damaged in stone throwing. A house belonging to a Congress supporter was set on fire, the police said.

On learning about the incident, the police rushed to the village, pacified the warring groups and dispersed them. Mr. Lakshminarayana and local JD(S) leader Nanjaiah have lodged complaints and counter-complaints with the Bidadi police.

Congress workers led by Mr. Lakshminarayana staged a protest in front of the Bidadi police station on Monday demanding the arrest of the JD(S) workers who had allegedly attacked them.

As the demonstration continued till the evening, there was tension in Bidadi and surrounding villages.

The Additional Superintendent of Police, Bangalore Rural district, L.G. Krishnappa, said the protesters dispersed after the police arrested six JD(S) workers.