Three stabbed in Belagavi as two groups indulge in scuffle

BELAGAVI: Three people were stabbed in Belagavi as one group attacked the other, during Ganesh immersion procession near Chennamma Circle in Belagavi city, said the police.

The injured were identified as Darshan Patil, Satish Poojari and Praveen Gundiyagol. Three accused have been arrested, said the police.

The police said that there was a scuffle between these groups during a Ganesha procession and the attack happened later near the Belagavi Civil Hospital. The police however rules out any communal angle to the fight.

The victims were reportedly attacked by a group of youths after a minor altercation while dancing when someone unknowingly touched another’s leg.  The group then stabbed the students in the stomach, back, and neck and fled from the scene.

“This incident did not take place during the procession. It happened near the Civil Hospital. Preliminary investigation suggests that there was some scuffle during the procession. The police team present there intervened and the two groups were separated. The procession was over. We found out that there was some enmity between the victim and the accused, due to which this incident happened,” Iada Martin Marbaniang, Belagavi Commissioner said.

The accused youths were escaping on a bike and were caught by CPI Vishwanath Kabbura and other police personnel.

The police said that further investigation into the case is ongoing. The police added that both the victims and the accused belong to the same community. (ANI)