Kundaim tense over Mutt feud
NT News Service Ponda, Oct 14 Tension ran high at Kundaim on Sunday following clashes between locals and the members of the Tapoubhomi Mutt over a property dispute leading to six people being injured, three motorcycles burnt and one mini pickup damaged. The reason for the clashes is believed to be previous enmity over a small gadda which is erected supposedly in the property of the Tapoubhomi Mutt. The tension erupted after a group of locals allegedly barged into a meeting of the Mutt members and assaulted some of them, with the Mutt members retaliating. In the melee which spilt outside, six people were injured, 3 motorcycles burnt and a mini pick-up damaged. Anticipating more trouble, police from Calangute, Porvorim, Bicholim, Collem and Ponda were summoned. Fire services also reached the site to douse off the flames of the burning two-wheelers. The situation was brought under control only when a strong police posse reached the site. Police said that in all six persons were injured in the clashes and provided the names as Ms Sobha V Naik, Mr Naneshwar P Halankar, Mr Shivanand K Naik, Mr Ramnath M Gaunkar from Tapoubhomi group, and Mr Ramrai Tari, and Mr Gautam Pankar from the other group. The DySP, Mr Mohan Naik, said that five persons -- Mr Ramu Naik, Mr Ramrai Tari, Mr Sadanand Satarkar, Mr Gautam Naik and Shanu Sallekar were arrested following a complaint by president of the Tapoubhomi committee, Mr Gurudas B Shirodkar. In his complaint to the police, the president of the Tapoubhomi committee, Mr Shirodkar said that around 40 people came to the Mutt in the morning and demanded that they wanted to speak to the Swamiji with regard to the gadda which was run by a local lady serving tea there. I told them only five can meet him and when the five people were sent inside, others started charging towards the Swamji, as they had planned to enter the Mutt from the other side. The ladies who were gathered for the meeting scheduled at 10.30 a.m. tried to block the group but could not do so, resulting in some being injured, the complaint said. The mob also refused to let the injured be taken for treatment, the complaint added. The Nagrik Kruti Samiti leader, Mr Narayan Naik, who supported the locals, on the other hand said that the gadda owner, Ms Pramila Gawli had approached them complaining that she was told to demolish the gadda and threatened by the members of the Tapoubhomi. Mr Naik accused the members of the Tapoubhomi of bashing up locals of the area and also a 60-year-old, Mr Ramrai Tari, when they had gone to enquire regarding the issue. How can a religious body behave like this, he questioned. Later, the locals numbering around 400 had a meeting at the Kundaim market and demanded immediate release of their members. They gathered at the Ponda Police station complaining that their counter complains were not entertained. Late in the evening they too filed counter complaints. Both the groups blamed the police alleging their partiality and inefficiency. The Swamji of the Mutt, later speaking to the reporters expressed displeasure over the incident and urged the people to maintain peace and unity in the locality. He however said that it was sad to note that few self-centered persons created problems over minor issues which could be solved amicably. The additional collector, Mr Swapnil Naik, SP, Mr Shekar Prabhudesai, DySP, Mr Mohan Naik, PIs Mr Manoj Mardolkar, Mr Manjunath Desai, Mamlatdars, rushed to the site to take stock of the situation. http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=10159 Sanny de Quepem <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com