Karnataka's Sagar town observes bandh over attack on Hindu activist

SHIVAMOGGA: Tension gripped Sagar town on Tuesday during the bandh called by Hindu organisations to protest against an attack on a Bajrang Dal activist on Monday.
As Hindu activists tried to enforce the bandh by closing commercial establishments, fish vendors objected to it leading to the tension. Police were deployed at the spot and at sensitive areas in Sagar, which is around 70 km from the district headquarters of Shivamogga.
Some shopkeepers in Azadnagar, too, refused to close their shops sparking off tension. Police intervened to ensure there were no untoward incidents with the bandh ending at around 3pm.
Sagar taluk legislator Harathalu Halappa and other BJP leaders participated in the protest march to condemn the attack. The MLA said that such incidents harm communal harmony.
Shivamogga superintendent of police Mithun Kumar said Monday's incident had its roots in personal enmity between a Hindu activist and another youth. He said three persons have been held.
Attack was due to personal enmity
Prime accused Sameer and his friends -Imiyan and Mansoor- attacked Sunil, a Hindu activist, with a sharp weapon on Monday. All the youths are from Sagar town.
During questioning, it came to light that the attack was due to personal enmity, the officer said.
Sunil allegedly used to tease Sameer's sister and wanted her cellphone number. "Sameer warned Sunil to stay away from his sister; but the latter continued to pester her which led to the attack," the SP said.
On Monday when Sunil was heading to work, Sameer, who was on a bike, allegedly accosted him and attacked him with a machete. "We are verifying the role of the two other accused," the SP said.
All the three accused reportedly stayed in a lodge on Sunday night, an indication that it might have been a planned attack, said police probing the case.