Tension gripped the Bellur town in District Mandya of Karnataka as a Muslim mob assaulted a Hindu man and vandalised several houses, following a dispute over a speeding vehicle, as reported by the police on 28 May. Local families demanded action against the attackers and held a protest at the Bellur police station on Monday night, according to a report in TV9 Kannada.

Yesterday, a larger gathering of Muslim youths assembled and once again assaulted Abhilash. In addition, they targeted those who attempted to rescue him. Furthermore, the accused Muslim youths carried out a robbery at Nagesh’s residence in the Nagamangala area that same night.

In light of the ongoing tensions between the two communities, the police have heightened security measures in Bellur. A complaint was lodged at the Bellur police station about the incident. Several residents, including women, organised a protest outside the Bellur police station, demanding strict action against the perpetrators.

The police stated that a large crowd attacked Abhilash (29) and caused severe injuries to him. The injured individual has been hospitalised and is currently in recovery.

As per the police report: “When a group of young individuals were driving recklessly in the market on 24 May, Abhilash and his friend Nagesh confronted them and advised them to drive carefully and slowly.”

“Agitated by this, they showed up near Abhilash’s residence on Monday night and assaulted him. During the altercation, some houses suffered minor damages. Abhilash was taken to the hospital and is responding well to the treatment,” the police asserted.

Police deny communal angle in Bellur incident

The police denied any communal aspect to the incident, mentioning that they managed to calm down the protesters and restore normalcy in terms of law and order. Mandya SP N Yatish said, “It was a minor altercation between two groups regarding a speeding vehicle. One individual named Abilash was injured during the scuffle and was hospitalised. He is now stable.”

“We have not received any complaints from either side. It was not a communal clash. Following the incident, approximately 25 to 30 people gathered in front of the hospital and protested,” the officer said.

“We have resolved the situation and law and order has been reinstated. No arrests have been made or individuals taken into custody in connection to the incident,” Yatish stated.