Tipu celebrations; VHP continues protests, one stabbed in

Mangaluru/Bengaluru, Nov 13: In fresh violence amid the raging row over celebrations of the birth anniversary of 18th century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan, a man was stabbed in Mangaluru district even as Vishwa Hindu Parishat today staged protests across Karnataka, opposing the government's decision.

As tension prevailed over the issue, a man was stabbed at Golitottu near Puttur in the district and was in critical condition at a hospital, police said even as Mangaluru city observed a bandh in response to the call by right wing outfits against the government decision and to protest the death of a VHP worker during violence in Madikeri on November 10.

Two men were stabbed, one of them fatally, near Mangaluru late last night after a meeting organised by Social Democratic Party of India supporting the celebrations turned violent. Police, however, did not link the stabbing incidents to the Tipu controversy. Harish(28) was stabbed to death at Vagga Halegate,Bantwal Taluk, 25 km away from Mangaluru, by unidentified men who came in a car when he was on his way home.

His friend Samiulla who was with him was also stabbed and has been hospitallised. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 have been clamped in Dakshina Kannada district for three days after VHP and Bajrang Dal called for a bandh today in protest against the Tipu Sultan Jayanti celebrations. The bandh call was given late last night after the stabbing incident.

The two Hindu outfits had earlier decided to stage protests against the death of VHP leader Kuttappa in Madikeri in Kodagu district on November 10. Mangaluru wore a deserted look today as the bandh call received a total response.

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses and private vehicles were off the roads and all shops and business establishments remained closed.

Police said stray incidents of violence were reported from some parts of Mangaluru today. Four buses parked at Pumpwell were stoned by miscreants.

VHP and Bajrang Dal activists blocked roads during the hour-long protest in various parts of the state, including Mysuru, Mangaluru, Tumakuru, Chitradurga, Shivamogga and Hassan.

In Bengaluru, protest was held in front of the Town Hall in the heart of the city, where VHP activists vented their ire against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah whose government decided to celerbrate Tipu Sultan's birth anniversary from this year. The functions were held on November 10.

Madikeri was rocked by violence over the celebrations during which 60-year-old VHP activist Kuttappa died with the circumstances of his death not being clear. A youth who had received bullet wounds also died.

PTI