Gonikoppal: Several men were injured in the group clashes between Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) and Congress party workers during a campaign on May 9.
The situation turned ugly, when party workers of BJP and Congress came face-to-face on June 9 night during door-to-door campaigning under second ward limits of the town.
Police resorted to lathi charge to control the rival groups on rampage. Around 8 people suffered injuries in the incident. Police have registered cases against 20 people and on the look out for others.
There are reports of Congress workers attempting to assault BJP workers inside the premises of the Primary Healthcare Centre in the town. Glass panes and some other items of the health centre were damaged in stone pelting incidents.
Punith, chief instructor of local RSS unit and Congress partymen Jammada Somanna , Karthanda Somanna suffered serious injuries . They have been shifted to hospitals in Mysuru for further treatment.
The Deputy Superitendent of Police has instructed his staff to take severe action against elements inciting violence in the area. Gonikoppal town remained tense following the incident.
