Ramzan donation dispute: 10 held over clash in Shivamogga

Shivamogga: A conflict broke out between two groups in the Gagri area late on Sunday after two groups from the same community pelted stones at each other over the collection of donations for the Ramzan festival. Police arrested 10 persons and deployed a force as a precaution after bringing the situation under control.The holy month of Ramzan, which began on Feb 19, is currently in its second week. It will end with the Eid-ul-Fitr celebration.
The dispute began during a meeting at a local mosque where leaders proposed a mandatory donation of Rs 1,000 from every family for the festival. This decision met with fierce opposition from another group present at the meeting, quickly escalating from a verbal spat into a physical altercation. The opposition group demanded that Waqf money could be used or that those who were rich could donate. The violence spilled over onto Shikaripura–Shiralakoppa Main Road, where the members of both groups attacked each other by pelting stones and using wooden sticks. The presence of stones across the thoroughfare caused panic among motorists, leading to a temporary halt in traffic. Upon receiving information about the clash, Shikaripura town police rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control. Police also used mild force to disperse the warring groups. Shivamogga SP B Nikhil told reporters that 10 people have been arrested on charges of disturbing public peace. They were produced before a court, which remanded them to judicial custody. Following the incident, complaints and counter-complaints were filed by the factions. Police forces are deployed in the town, the SP stated.