Ban orders in Mangalore, three Bajrang Dal activists held

Mangalore, Sept 14 (UNI) Ban orders were imposed in the city following protests against the attack on at least seven places of worship in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts in Karnataka today.

Three fresh incidents were reported in Udupi district, when miscreants attacked churches in Udupi, Sirur in Kundapur and Karkal town all in Udupi district.

Earlier, the miscreants had attacked four places in the city like Kodical, Kulur, Kankanadi and Milagris.

Five persons said to be Bajrang Dal activists and had been arrested by the police in the two districts.

Tension prevailed as people in groups protested against the attacks. This led to suspension of bus services in the coastal cities of Mangalore and Udupi. Bus services in the busy route between the two cities was also suspended.

Authorities clamped ban orders under section 144 Cr PC in Mangalore city as a precautionary measure. Security had been beefed up with police providing security at vulnerable places.

The attackers ransacked the places of worship breaking to pieces whatever they caught hold of. Debris were strewn all around the places in a couple of places while mostly window panes were smashed in other places.

In the afternoon youths blocked several roads at several points in the city disrupting vehicular traffic. Police resorted to mild lathi charge to dispurse them.

The bus service between Mangalore and Udupi was disrupted for some time today following road block.

A large group of people gathered in front the Kulshekar Church in protest against the attack on prayer centres. They shouted slogans against the BJP government in Karnataka and district administration.

They were enraged after they found a statue in one of the places that was attacked was disfigured.

Vehicular traffic was severely disrupted in the city and the most busy junction, Hampanakatta circle, and looked deserted.

In response to protesters demand shop keepers downed the shutters. The protesters also blocked the National Highway 17 at Thokkuttu Junction for some time.

UNI MA RS SKB1810