BHATKAL: A Google search throws up 36.6 lakh web pages in 0.18 seconds for Bhatkal, much higher than for any other town in Karnataka.

This isn't heartening news for the Bhatkalis, for the town is known less for its Bhatkal Mallige, Sandow Halwa, Moulana Lungi or Zubair Kazi (owner of one of the largest number of KFC restaurants) and more for its alleged terror association. The high-intensity focus has only increased after the arrest of Yasin Siddibapa alias Yasin Bhatkal. Besides Yasin, other terror suspects Riyaz and Iqbal Shabantri are also known by Bhatkal surname. The residents are upset with the alias. They ask, "Do people know Dawood Ibrahim's town? Why aren't other terror suspects associated with their town? None of the Muslims here have their town's name as surname. In fact, it is some Hindus who have 'Bhatkal' as surname." Though it's a mystery how the town's name came to be used as a surname, the Bhatkalis put the blame squarely on the media and investigating agencies. They are protesting the negative association of their town. Majlise-Islah Wa Tanzeem, the most powerful organization of the Nawayaths, is in the forefront of it. In a recent representation to district in charge and higher education minister R V Deshpande, it said, "Some electronic and print media is involved in spreading false allegations against us. We are reluctant to travel to other parts of the country, because we are being viewed with suspicion." The negative branding has indeed harmed this prosperous and unique coastal town, situated 485km from Bangalore. The Bhatkalis are facing a number of problems - be it while finding jobs, travelling, admissions to colleges or accommodation in hotels. The town's colleges and hospitals have large number of vacancies, as people refuse to come here. For instance, the posts of - physician, pediatrician, optholmologist, ENT specialist and six nurses - are vacant in the town's government hospital. Of the 33 other sanctioned staff, only five are filled. The town, dominated by Nawayath Muslims, is in news for wrong reasons for the last 20 years. Year 1993 was the turning point. Till then, people from all faiths were living in amity, despite minor skirmishes. That year, a communal violence claimed 20 lives, both Hindus and Muslims. It took nearly a year for the violence to calm down, during which time the police had clamped curfew for eight months! Prompted by the sensitivity, the town began to have increased vigil. The Intelligence Bureau (IB) set up its branch in the town. The violence changed the political landscape too. The BJP gained foothold and in 1994, U Chittaranjan from BJP got elected to the state assembly. Violence returned to haunt the town after the legislator was murdered on April 10, 1996. It only fuelled the mistrust among the two communities. Till date, the perpetrators of the crime haven't been brought to book. Government constituted Justice K Jagannath Shetty Commission of inquiry to probe 1993 violence. The commission pinned the blame on the ISI. The Nawayaths reject the report, which hasn't been implemented by the government. The Justice Ramachandra Commission of Inquiry report on Chittaranjan's murder is also not implemented. The town witnessed violence again in 2004, after the assassination of BJP leader Thimmappa Naik. The town's reputation began to get tarnished after Riyaz, Iqbal and Yasin's name surfaced on the terror network. Their association with the town has dealt a blow to the image of the town. "We are traders and most of us are well-to-do. I think the affluence has triggered the envy," says Jukaku Abdul Rahim, general secretary of Anjuman Hami-e-Muslimeen. The Nawayaths, who trace their roots to Arab (they are said to have emigrated to this coastal town in the 8th century), indeed drive the local economy. According to the 2011 census, the town has 32,000 population. Of this, 80% are Muslims, mostly Nawayaths, and a small section Dakhni. Among the rest 20%, majority are Hindus, with a few Christians and Jains. Interestingly, about 10,000 people from the town are working in the Middle East, with Dubai being the popular destination. The localites claim that the community contributes around Rs 500 crore as foreign exchange annually. "A Nawayath either works in the Gulf or trades," says Nisar Ahmed, a trader. Fishing and coconut farming are the other activities. The Gulf Boom, which began in the 1960s, has continued till date. The Gulf Boom also gave rise to smuggling in electronic goods, textile and gold, which has reduced considerably now. The Gulf Market in the town is a must-see for the visitors. With increased vigil, the gold smuggling has declined, while the invasion of China products has reduced the demand for products sold in Bhatkal. The Nawayath are unrepentant when it comes to the display of wealth. The prosperity is visible -- sprawling bungalows, vehicles, high-end mobiles and electronic goods, use of technology (even juice stalls have CCTV cameras). Sample this: Bhatkal, which has a population of 32,000, has 1,400 autorickshaws. The people to autorickshaw ratio works to be 25:1 (The people: autorickshaw ratio in Bangalore is 85:1). Also, the town has the highest number of vehicles. In the district, which has 80% forest land, revenue lands are difficult to find. Though one gunta of land in the town costs Rs 25 lakh, it hasn't deterred the construction activity. The Gulf money has resulted in the realty boom and the mushrooming of palatial bungalows. Though Bhatkalis are tech-savvy, intriguingly, most shops and business establishments here do not accept credit and debit card payments. In the past, Nawayaths weren't known for their academic excellence. But, things are changing. The town, which has numerous mosques, is also home to temples, Jain Bastis and churches. It was ruled by Hoysalas, Vijayanagar kings and Jain kings in the past. Besides investment, the Nawayaths marry within the community and get married in their town. Ramadan is the time for the community members to congregate in the town. The two cinema theatres in the town screens more Hindi movies. Though the town is dominated by Muslims, the Bhatkal taluk has more number of Hindus, with Naik's being in sizeable numbers. After late former minister S M Yahya, the Nawayath community hasn't produced any political leader of stature. Yahya's dominance ended in 1983. Ever since, not a single Muslim has got elected from here. During the recently concluded assembly polls, the JD(S) gave ticket to Inayatullah Shahbandri. Though the Majlise-Islah Wa Tanzeemlent its support, he came second, behind an independent candidate, Mankal Vaidya. However, the Bhatkal municipality is dominated by Nawayaths. Prior to 1990, people lived in amity. There aren't any instances of communal violence since 2005. The inter-faith meetings are organized at least twice a year, after Ramadan and during Ganesha festival for peace. The grand taluk-level sports tournaments - criket, kabaddi and table tennis - are also helping bring people together. During the famed annual Hanuman Rathotsav, the procession starts after a ritual at a Muslim house on Sultan street. "There is no insecurity among the Hindus here. We live here amicably, helping each other," says Surendra Shanbhag, who runs Bhatkal Education Trust. "If someone is involved in criminal activities, punish him and not the town," says Altaf Kharoori, general secretary of Tanzeem. Shivanand Naik, former legislator from the town, feels the town's image can be restored. "With time, people forget. If the use of our town's name with terror suspects or any other negative activity is stopped, Bhatkal's image will be restored in due time," he says. ND Shiva Kumar, TNN | Sep 12, 2013