Hubballi: Old Hubballi turned tense after protesters who were taking out a rally here pelted stones, on Monday.
A protest rally was taken out by Muslims condemning an offensive remark made by Hindu Mahasabha leader Kamlesh Tiwari in Uttar Pradesh, which demeaned Prophet Mohommed.
The protest, held at Heggeri grounds, was organised by Sunni Students’ Federation and other Muslim groups. Hundreds of protesters burnt the effigy of Tiwari at the Indi Pump Circle and demanded death for him. They then moved towards New English School Circle where some miscreants pelted stones at five NWKRTC buses, four cars and a police jeep. They also stoned two ATM kiosks and three shops. A policeman and a shopkeeper were injured in the commotion.
To contain the situation, police caned four groups of people near English Medium School, Mastan Sofa, Diwan Chacha Dargah and Byali Oni. They detained 17 people and registered cases against them at Old Hubballi and Kasabapet police stations.
Police Commissioner Pandurang Rane, DCP Jinendra Khanagavi, ACP?Somalingappa Chabbi and other police officers led the efforts to disperse the crowd.
Pro-Hindu organisations later staged a protest, too, alleging that the banner of a temple was damaged by the miscreants.
