An auto being set ablaze at Belagavi on Tuesday very early morning. Photo: Special Arrangement

HENB | Belagavi | Sept 29, 2015:: Severe communal clash broke out again in Khadak Galli, Bhadkal Galli, Ghee Galli, Jalgar Galli, Chandu Galli and Khanjar Galli areas of the city on Monday late night. Both groups faced-off with stones, bottles and bricks at around 11.30pm on Kacheri road, in which around 12 people have been injured including Market CPI Ramesh Gokak and four constables.

Over a dozen persons and a police officer were injured in what may be a planned attack by a section resulting in the midnight clash between two groups in Khadak galli, Khanjar galli, Badkal galli, Khi galli and adjoining areas under Market Police Station limits of the city in the early hours of Tuesday. A few vehicles were badly damaged.

When the police department was in mood of satisfaction for successfully managing longest procession of Ganesh idols in peaceful manner, communal clash snatched that satisfaction following the intelligence failure. Clash broke out within 10 hours of concluding of immersion procession of Ganesh idols.

Stone pelting started unexpectedly at Khadak Galli at 11.30pm by a suspected Muslim group on the Ganapati Procession. Within a few minutes, stone pelting incidents spread to Ghee Galli, Jalgar Galli and Chandu Galli. Following the incident, other group also came out. Both groups came face to face on Kacheri Road and traded stones and bottles. Road was full with stones, broken bricks and glasses at the morning. Market CPI Ramesh Gokak, who arrived to the spot injured with a sharp stone hit his face beneath the eye.

Other four police constables also sustained injuries.Meanwhile, miscreants set an auto rickshaw onto fire and also targeted vehicles near traffic (North) police station. With the information received, city police commissioner S Ravi along with senior officials and police force arrived to the spot. Teargas shells were busted to disperse miscreants and took situation under control. IGP (Northern Range) Umesh Kumar also met the spot and got details of the situation.

Although situation is under control, it is tensed. Total 12 police platoons have been deployed besides city police commissioner S Ravi and other senior police officials camped in the tensed areas. Speaking to the TOI, S Ravi said reason behind the clash is yet to find out. Till evening, 16 people were arrested by the police from both groups in connection to clash.

Third clash in same area in one year:

It’s a third severe communal clash took place in the same areas of the city in past one year. Miscreants had damaged more than 25 vehicles including seven cars in the clash held in last September in the same areas. Clash repeated again in January month of this year.