Bhatkal tense after ‘Murin Katte’ dispute escalates; section 144 imposed till May 27

Bhatkal, May 25: (BHatkallys News Bureau) Communal tension gripped coastal town Bhatkal on Sunday after a dispute surrounding the reconstruction of the controversial “Murin Katte” structure near National Highway 66 escalated into protests, political confrontation and late-night police action, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders under Section 144 across the town.

The restrictions, according to a police statement, came into force from 6 am on May 25 and will remain in place till 6 am on May 27. During this period, gathering of more than five persons at one place has been prohibited.

The issue, which has remained sensitive for years, resurfaced after reconstruction work on the disputed structure was carried out on Sunday morning under heavy police protection. The “Murin Katte” structure had earlier become a matter of controversy during the National Highway 66 expansion works.

While one section had demanded complete removal of the structure in view of the highway widening, another section had been insisting that it should be rebuilt at the same location. Sources said several meetings had earlier been held under the supervision of the administration, but no permanent resolution had been reached.

As work began under police security on Sunday morning, local residents, social activists and leaders of Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem reached the spot and objected to the move.

Tanzeem president Inayatullah Shabandri questioned what he described as “selective treatment” by the authorities.

He pointed out that several religious structures, including mosques, dargahs and temples, had been removed during the highway expansion work and alleged that adopting a different approach in one specific case had created suspicion among the public.

The organisation also questioned why the work was allegedly carried out without broader public consultation and demanded clarity regarding the legal process and court directions connected to the matter.

The protest intensified during the evening when groups of youngsters gathered near the site and allegedly attempted to demolish the newly reconstructed structure. The situation became tense for several hours before senior police officials intervened.

Uttara Kannada Superintendent of Police M. Narayana Deepak, Udupi Superintendent of Police Hari Ram Shankar and other senior officers rushed to the area and held discussions with local leaders and protesters.

Police officials reportedly assured the gathering that status quo would be maintained at the disputed site till Monday morning and that the Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner would arrive from Karwar to conduct meetings with stakeholders before any further decision was taken.

However, the controversy deepened later in the night after provocative remarks made by former Uttara Kannada district BJP president Govinda Naik while addressing the media in the presence of former Bhatkal MLA Sunil Naik.

In his statement, Govinda Naik blamed Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem for the unrest and issued warnings referencing the 1993 communal riots in Bhatkal.

He stated that “1993 will be re-established” if the issue was not controlled and said his group “would not leave them from tomorrow morning,” remarks that triggered concern due to Bhatkal’s sensitive communal history.

Bhatkal witnessed major communal riots in 1993 in which violent clashes between communities resulted in deaths, destruction of property and long-term communal divisions in the region.

Following the speech, tension escalated further past midnight after BJP activists, including Govinda Naik, allegedly attempted to enter the disputed site despite police deployment. Sources said they engaged in verbal arguments with police personnel stationed there.

Senior police officials again intervened and later detained several BJP activists, including Govinda Naik, to prevent the situation from spiralling further.

Police deployment has since been intensified across sensitive areas of Bhatkal, with authorities appealing to residents not to spread rumours or indulge in provocative activities.

Officials said the prohibitory orders were imposed purely as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents in the communally sensitive coastal town.