Two groups clash over old rivalry in Davanagere, 6 arrested and 4 hospitalised

DAVANAGERE: Two groups of youths engaged in a clash over old enmity and under the influence of ganja at BD Layout in Davanagere in the wee hours on Monday. Six people have been arrested so far in connection with the clash, police said.

The two groups chased and beat each other with swords and sticks, leading to five people being seriously injured and they are now being treated at a private hospital. The attack happened when four youths including Mainu, Junaid and Irfan, residents of B D Layout in the city, were standing on road. More than 20 youths including Mohammad, who had old enmity with them, created a ruckus.

The fought with swords, sticks, ruckus started in the middle of the road in full public view. Many including Mainu, Junaid and Irfan who were attacked fell on road in pool of blood. They sustained serious injuries to the head and other parts of teh body and were immediately admitted injured to private hospital by locals. The condition of four is serious and treatment is being given in hospital. The Azad Nagar station police have registered 307 case and arrested six people.

Davanagere SP Shekhar H T said, “The incident occurred around 2 am on Monday. Yesterday evening, when Butti Moinuddin was going home from a mosque after namaz, a group of miscreants attacked him questioning why he was are not hafta. Then, around 2 am, a clash broke out because followng the attack”.

“Those who were attacked are getting treatment and have given complaint against 15 accused. The Azad Nagar station police have arrested six accused including Mohammad Siddiqui, Barkat, Mujaid and Umar. There is enmity between two families from earlier days.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that a clash happened one year ago. We will investigate whey they have developed this enmity and also whether it happened due to ganja consumption. We have taken strict action against those who consume and sell ganja. Action will be taken against those who carried out illegal activities. Strict action will be taken against those who carried out attack with deadly weapons publicly”, he added.

Brandishing swords without any fear in middle of road and carrying out deadly attack has created severe fear of life among local residents. The situation is such that people fear to move at night, and have demanded that police should immediately rein in such rowdies and ensure such clash does not happen again.