KARWAR: Tension prevailed near the Mudga Civilian Gate at INS Kadamba naval base here on Monday after a clash between naval personnel and residents over a minor accident the previous evening, involving Shrinivas Kodarkar, a local fisherman, and Amit, an employee of Indian Navy, hailing from Rajasthan.
According to sources, following the brawl, Indian Navy officials handed over four Navy personnel to the police who had allegedly attacked the residents. An FIR was also filed by the residents against 22 naval personnel allegedly involved in the attack.
Kodarkar, a Guruswamy of Ayappa devotees, lives in a tent near the Civilian Gate. According to residents, on Sunday evening, Amit, while riding a motorbike, hit two-wheeler rider Shrinivas, causing the latter to suffer injuries to his legs.
Following this minor accident, while Amit reportedly ran away from the spot, Ayyappa devotees residing nearby went looking for Amit inside the naval colony. Thereafter, Amit agreed to help move the injured to hospital and bear all his medical expenses. Soon, injured Kodarkar was admitted to a private hospital.
On his way back from the hospital, while Amit was travelling in the vehicle of one of the residents, he allegedly sent messages to his colleagues at the naval base, sharing his location and informing them that he had been attacked.
Following this, about 20 persons, all said to be employees of Indian Navy, intercepted the vehicle near Toduru and allegedly attacked those travelling in it with rods and helmets. The attackers fled when more residents rushed in to retaliate.
The attack triggered protests by residents that continued all through the night near the Civilian Gate of the naval base. Senior officials of Indian Navy, police, and the district administration had to rush in to pacify the mob.
On Monday morning, despite a heavy police deployment, residents stopped construction workers from entering the naval colony and demanded that the attackers be arrested. Senior officials of Indian Navy then assured the protesters that action would be taken against the attackers.
Later, four naval personnel were handed over to the police. Though normality was restored by Monday evening, heavy police bandobast continued near the Civilian Gate.
