Karnataka: After activist's murder, vehicles burnt in Belagavi

BELAGAVI: At least 11 vehicles, including four cars and a tractor, and haystack were set ablaze and stones were thrown at houses in Goundwad village, 9km from here, late Saturday night after a social activist was stabbed to death.
Police have taken 26 people into custody, reports Ravindra Uppar. Police said the violence started around 9.30pm after Satish Patil, 37, was stabbed to death allegedly by a group. The deceased was parking his four-wheeler when he was stabbed by the group following heated arguments over parking.
Land dispute sparked stabbing: Villagers
Patil succumbed to injuries at KLE Hospital, Belagavi. With his death, an angry group, including his family members, friends and supporters, took to the streets and set ablaze several vehicles and a haystack.
Villagers claimed a dispute over a parcel of land belonging to Kalabhairavnath temple in the village among a few families is said to be the main reason behind the incident. The two-year-old dispute was recently resolved with the involvement of village elders. As Patil was actively fighting to protect the temple land, he became the target of the opposing group, a source alleged. On Saturday night, the opposing group targeted Patil over a parking issue. Arguments escalated and some miscreants stabbed him with a knife.
Of the arrests made on Sunday, seven persons were held in connection with the stabbing of Patil and 19 for violence.