Two groups clash over Rayanna statue in Karnataka's Gadag taluk

HUBBALLI: Tension gripped Balaganur village in Gadag taluk on Saturday after a few persons allegedly erected a statue of freedom fighter Sangolli Rayanna near the bus stand in the wee hours. The installation sparked a clash between two communities.
According to sources, the communities have been at loggerheads for the past few years over installation of the statue at that spot.Protesters hurled stones at vehicles of officers and police resorted to a lathi charge to bring the situation under control.
Followers of Sangolli Rayanna were upset after the administration removed the statue suddenly. Members of a community hit the streets and raised slogans against police and the administration and demanded the statue be reinstalled. Protesters did not heed police orders to disperse and a clash broke between them. Protesters allegedly damaged the vehicles of assistant commissioner of police Rayappa Hunasagi and DySP Pralhad.
Halumatha Mahasabha state unit president Rudranna Gulguli, who went to the village, said the unrest had been fanned by political forces. Some politicians are against installation of the statue of Rayanna who sacrificed his life to protect the motherland, he added.
He said the Krantiveer Sangolli Rayanna Trust had obtained permission from Balaganur gram panchayat and the taluk panchayat to install the statue. Despite this, vested interests created a controversy, he alleged. The administration and police removed the statue while the DySP and AC were meeting community leaders, he added.
Halumatha Samaj members gave a deadline of one week to reinstall the statue and urged the release of youths who were illegally detained by police.
Superintendent of police N Yateesh said the situation in the village is under control.