Teargas shells, lathicharge used to quell VHP, BD activists

Bellary, Karnataka, June 26 (UNI) Police today lobbed teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to quell a mob of Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists at Kamalapur near the heritage site of Hampi.

Police said about 150 'Save Hampi' activists, comprising BJP, VHP and Bajrang Dal activists, attempted to perform a pooja at the Lord Eranna temple located beside Honurvalli dargah this morning. As today was the second day of the Honurvalli Urs, police stopped the activists at Talwarghatta cross to prevent any law and order problem.

Despite repeated appeals and an assurance by the activists to perform the pooja in a peaceful manner, Superintendent of Police Pankaj Kumar Thakur refused them permission. The persisting activists were arrested and taken to Kamalapur police station.

Meanwhile, at Kamalapur, VHP and Bajrang Dal activists tried to disrupt the passage of police vehicles and those carrying the arrested. As the situation went out of control, police lobbed teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge.

Following this, a bandh like situation prevailed in Kamalapur town and shops and business establishments downed shutters.

UNI XR MSJ VP1805