Mangaluru/Bengaluru: A man, who police claimed was a sympathiser of right-wing outfits, was attacked by some people on a motorbike at Kuthar near here, days after an RSS activist was fatally stabbed at Bantwal.
Tension had prevailed at the spot following the attack.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah, in Bengaluru, today made an appeal to the people to maintain peace and warned of strict action against those involved in instigating communal hatred.
Chiranjeevi (24) was attacked when he was riding home on his bike last night after a workout in a gym.
Three persons came behind him on a motorcycle, attacked him at a deserted spot with swords and fled, police said, adding that Chiranjeevi himself rode to a nearby hospital after calling up his friends and collapsed there even as they rushed to the spot.
Police said Chiranjeevi was a sympathiser of right wing organisations, including RSS, and not an activist.
Police Commissioner T R Suresh and other top officials visited the spot where Chiranjeevi was attacked and the hospital.
Officials said he was out of danger.
The district is already tense after the death of an RSS worker Sarath Madivala on Friday following an attack on him in Bantwal on July 4.
Police had used mild force yesterday to disperse clashing groups of people in Bantwal while the body of Madivala was being taken to his home in a procession at Kandur.
Prohibitory orders are in force till July 11 in Puttur, Sullia, Belthangady and Bantwal in coastal Dakshina Kannada district following recent communal clashes in some areas, according to police.
The orders were initially enforced in Bantwal from May 27 following skirmishes between two groups. Later, it was extended to the four taluks as violence spread.
The murder of a Social Democratic Party of India worker at Benjanapadavu in Bantwal on June 21 further escalated tension, forcing authorities to extend prohibitory orders.
Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah told reporters, “I have directed police to take strict action against whoever indulges in instigating communal hatred”.
He urged people of the coastal region to maintain peace and not pay heed to rumours.
“Mangaluru region has been known for communal harmony for hundreds of years…recently a few people were involved in communal instigation for their political benefits. Whoever it is, whether Bajarang Dal, RSS or PFI, let them be from any religion…if they indulge in such activities government will take merciless action,” he added.
The opposition BJP flayed the Congress government for its ‘failure’ in maintaining law and order.
“Serious law and order issues are arising in Karnataka and our people are seized of the matter. The government (state) has to act against the culprits,” BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav told reporters here on the sidelines of a event.
Union minister and former Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda alleged that the state government was directly responsible for the incidents.
“For the last 15 days, Dakshina Kannada district is burning, but the state government has not taken any initiative to prevent these sorts of activities. The district in-charge minister and other ministers are indirectly supporting and provoking in Dakshina Kannada,” Gowda said.
He referred to Siddaramaiah’s visit to the district two days back, saying the Chief Minister did not have the patience to call a meeting of police officers and review the security situation there.
“I think it is the total failure of the government which is solely responsible for all these activities,”he said,adding that the Chief Minister has to be more responsible as there is no Home minister in Karnataka.
Gowda also said that he has apprised the Home Ministry about the situation in Dakshina Kannada.
—PTI