A mob attacked and stabbed two minor boys at Channarayapatna in Hassan district on Thursday night during the Ramanavami procession.
The boys sustained stab injuries aged 16 and 17 have been shifted to Channarayapatna government hospital and are being treated. According to police officials, the victims alleged the attackers were from Muslim community who were following the procession, and picked up a quarrel.
The mob stabbed on stomach and neck of two the victims using lethal weapons. The injured boys were immediately shifted to Channarayapatna government hospital and said to be out of danger.
“The incident occurred at around 9.45 pm near Jamia mosque on Bagur road. We have taken 10 people into custody in connection with the stabbing,” said Hassan Superintendent of Police (SP), Hariram Shankar told HT.
According to preliminary investigation old rivalry has come out to be the cause of crime.
He said the Channarayapatna police arrested 10 people in connection with the attack and also identified another 16 minors in connection with the case. Police booked the 10 accused under IPC, section 307(attempt to murder) and 153 A (commits an offence in place of worship) from both sides. Police has stressed up the security in the area after the incident.
“The attackers tried to avenge old rivalry during the Ramanavami procession,” the SP added.
In another incident, a youth was attacked by his Marathi-speaking classmates allegedly for participating in a Ramnavami procession holding a Kannada flag in Belagavi district. The incident occurred in front of the Shivasena office in Ramlingkhind Galli on Wednesday night.
The procession, after moving in various parts of the town, was heading towards Tilak chowk from Bogarves circle. During this rally, several youths were dancing to the songs aired by DJ and they were holding saffron flags.
In this rally, the 18-year-old joined the dance holding the Karnataka flag and he was attacked. Video shot on mobile shows the mob attacking the victim and the attack lasted for around 5 minutes. The mob is also shown tearing down the flag.
Though hundreds participated in the procession, no police were seen near the place where the boy was beaten, said one of the friends of the victim.
Khade Bazaar police inspector Ratnakumar told HT that they are watching the footage of CCTV cameras and rounding up those involved in the incident. A few among those involved have been taken into custody and are being interrogated. FIR has already been filed on charges of assault, said the officer.
