Mysore, May 15 (RK&DM)- The Uppara Community protest staged in the city yesterday against TTL Trust over the disputed Uppara Hostel land in Sara-swathipuram, turned violent later in the afternoon, following which the Police caned the protestors and burst tear gas shells near the DC's office.

Several vehicles including 6 KSRTC buses, 2 tempos and a new Maruti Omni van were damaged and several people including 10 Policemen sustained injuries in the violence.

The Police have arrested a total of 23 persons including the State Uppara Association President Basavarajappa for inciting violence while taking part in the protest.

The protest, which was launched from Kote Anjaneyaswamy temple in front of the Palace yesterday morning, reached close to DC's office, when the protestors were stopped by the Police as barricades were erected around the office. Later the protestors assembled at the park nearby and demanded that the DC arrive at the spot, apart from raising slogans against the government and District administration. But as the Deputy Commissioner P. Manivannan was away in Delhi on an official visit, Additional DC Dr. C.G. Bettsurmath came forward to receive the memorandum from them.

But when the protestors insisted on the DC's visit, Dr. Bettsurmath, saying that he would summon the MUDA and the Corporation Commissioners for finding a solution to the problem, invited the leaders for talks.

The invited leaders including MLA Puttarangashetty, Basava-rajappa and Advocate S. Arun Kumar went to the resumption of talks at 2.15 pm after lunch.

Thousands of protestors who were peacefully protesting until then suddenly turned violent at around 2.45 pm and resorted to violence by smashing a Maruthi Omni van that came on the way. The protestors also severely thrashed its driver Ravi, who is learnt to be an employee of Mandovi Motors, following which the Police caned the protestors.

As the Police resorted to lathi charge, the protestors dispersed in all directions. Even as they ran helter-skelter, they pelted stones at vehicles that happened to pass by on Hunsur road including KSRTC buses and 3 tempos, causing extensive damages to them. Ultimately, Police lobbed three rounds of tear gas shells to quell the mob and bring the situation under control.

Leaders responsible for violence

Mysore, May 15 (KK&DM)- More than the protestors, it was the leaders who were responsible for the protest turning violent yesterday. Actual leaders are those who show leadership qualities in refraining people from not crossing the limits and the violent protest yesterday displayed total lack of leadership qualities amongst leaders.

The Karnataka High Court had earlier ordered that leaders are to be held responsible for damages caused during any protests and as such they have to make up for the losses. Accordingly, the Police can take legal action and penalise them for making up the losses incurred. The only question now is whether the Police will take such a bold step for recovering the losses incurred in this case, which will go a long way in deterring the violent protestors in future. Even the traders had repeatedly sent memorandums to the DC asking him to allot an appropriate venue for staging protests and taking out procession, following which the DC had assured of enforcing a ban on procession on D. D. Urs Road. It is now the right time for the DC to act in this regard.

Suresh Kumar intervenes

Mysore, May 15 (RK&DM)- District -in-charge Minister S. Suresh Kumar has come forward for finding a solution to the controversy between the TTL Trust and Uppara community over the Uppara Hostel land in Saraswathipuram.

Suresh Kumar, who spoke to Uppara Community seer Purushothamananda Swamiji over telephone in the backdrop of violent protests yesterday, has sought two days time for resolving the matter, it is learnt. Suresh Kumar's intervention is seen as a welcome development, in the backdrop of his successful intervention in the controversy between MRC and JWGC.

Repair works

Meanwhile, the district administration has taken up repairs of the Uppara Hostel building which the TTL Trust attempted to demolish in the wee hours of Feb. 14.

The district administration has taken up repair works in the wake of a series of protests staged by Mysore and Cham-arajanagar Uppara Sangha Community members and especially in the backdrop of massive protest yesterday, it is learnt.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore