Tension in Gangavathi as protesters lay siege to police station

Koppal: Members of Hindu Jagaran Vedike and Vishwa Hindu Parishad staged a massive protest in Gangavathi on Wednesday, condemning the alleged assault on a youth and the registration of an FIR against the victim.According to the protesters, miscreants from another community on Feb 3 night scolded and allegedly assaulted Venkatesh, a resident of Basapattana village, who went to the Central Bus Terminus in Gangavathi to assist his neighbour — a Muslim woman.
The miscreants forced him to confess to having an affair with the woman, and also recorded the same. Based on a complaint by the activists of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), police registered a case against Venkatesh, drawing sharp criticism from Hindu organisations.The protesters took out a a large procession from Gandhi Circle to Krishnadevaraya Circle, condemning the govt and police. Former BJP MLA Paranna Munavalli said: "Hindu society is akin to a cow, naturally peaceful and not prone to causing issues."He also claimed that the youths involved in the incident were supported by the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).Vedike provincial convener Srikanth Hoskera urged the authorities to drop the charges against Venkatesh, failing which they will call Gangavathi bandh on Feb 24.Tippanna, president of Madiwala Society taluk unit, and former MP S Shivaramegowda also spoke.Tension escalated when the protesters tried to set fire to a tyre, and the same was thwarted by police. The situation turned tense when some protesters attempted to lay siege to the city police station. Activists pushed through barricades put up by police and entered the station premises, leading to heated exchanges between them and police personnel.Additional police officers were dispatched to the location for security purposes.