Bhatkal: In view of the absence of leaders of Hindu community in the two previously held peace meetings called by the local administration, a third meeting of leaders was called on Tuesday. However, just like the earlier meetings, yesterday's meeting also was boycotted by the leaders of the Hindu community.

It may be recalled that, on November, 15, members of Muslim community had staged a dharna at Bhatkal town police station to protest against the police bias and the assault on youth transporting buffaloes by some Hindu miscreants. Following this on November 18, a peace meet was called by the administration, which only the leaders of one community attended. Another meeting was called on November 23 where representatives of the Hindu community were invited. Only 4 leaders attended that meeting. The administration called a third meeting in which along with the leaders of Muslim community only two leaders from Hindu community, Mr. Damudar Gardikar and Subhash Kopikar attended.





On this occasion, Mr. Badrul Hasan Muallim, the President Majlis-e-Islah-Wa-Tanzeem, Bhatkal, while initiating the conversation in the meeting, expressed his concern over the absence of Hindu leaders and asked about the reason for boycotting the meeting by the leaders of the Hindu community. Expressing his annoyance over this, Mr. Badrul Hasan said that Muslims always have been wishing to live with peace and harmony and they had been cooperative with administration. The President of Tanzeem asked about the use of proceeding with the peace meet in the absence of Hindu leaders.

Talking on the occasion, General Secretary of Tanzeem, Mr. S J Sayed Khalid and Mr. Javeed Batin, the Executive Member of Tanzeem also expressed their deep concern over the boycott of the peace meet by Hindu leaders.

Former ZP President Mr. Damudar Gardikar suggested to continue the meeting in the existing condition. On this occasion, Mr. Parvez Kashimji also supported the suggestion by the ex- ZP president and suggested the cooperation of police and administration to ensure the peaceful celebration of the Eidul-Azha. He further said that after the Muslim festival of Eidul-Azha, the festivals of Hindu community are around the corner, but the community has no intention of boycotting the peace meetings to be held then. He said that they (the leaders of Hindu community) should understand that after Eidul-Azha, their festivals are also around the corner and the peace and harmony of the town can be maintained only by mutual cooperation of both the communities.

Presiding over the peace meet, Bhatkal MLA, Mr. JD Naik also expressed his concern over the boycott of the peace meetings by a community on three successive times. He said that after Eidul-Azha, many other festival are about to come and the peace and harmony of the town should be maintained at any cost. On this occasion, he instructed the police not to allow any anti-social elements to create disturbance in the town. He said that he was very well aware that some of the police officials are taking one-sided actions and are treating the other community with prejudice. On this occasion, if any of the police official with a view to get the favour of any political party, tries to spoil the atmosphere of the town, he would be compelled to stage dharna at the residence of the State Home Minister, Dr. V S Acharaya in Udupi. Talking to Dy. SP Dr. Veda Murthi and assistant commissioner Mr. Tarlok Chandra, he said that some four to five people are there in Bhatkal, who are trying to spoil the atmosphere of Bhatkal. He further said that the police are very well aware of these elements. He said that legal action should be taken against these elements and a strict watch should be kept on these extremist elements. Mr. JD Naik said that he was a public representative and wishing peace in the town at any moment. He said that to maintain the peace and harmony in the town the police should deal stringently with the miscreants. On this occasion, addressing the Muslims, he advised the community not to take the law into their own hands and to inform the police in case of any incident.

Bhatkal Dy. SP Dr. Veda Murthi and Assistant Commissioner, Mr. Tarlok Chandra assured that on the occasion of Eidul-Azha, no miscreant would be let loose.

While trying to clear-up the misunderstanding of police and some of the media persons, Mr. Sanaullah Gawai, said that on the occasion, of Eidul-Azha, Muslims of the town, do not slaughter cows and no cows are brought into Bhatkal. He said that during the festival Muslims slaughter oxen and buffaloes only and not cows. He added that the slaughtering for sacrifice is done within the compound walls of their houses and they try their best to ensure that during their celebrations, the sentiments of other religious communities are not hurt.

Talking on the occasion, Mr. Ismail Siddique, the Secretary Eid-Gah committee said that the Eidul-Azha, prayer will be performed on Saturday at 7.45am sharp in Eid-Gah ground. The procession of the Eid prayer will start at 7am from Jama Masjid. He requested the police department to make sufficient parking arrangement on Bunder Road and also make adequate security arrangements well in advance of the Eid.

Mr. Abdur Raqeeb MJ, the Secretary of Tanzeem requested the police department for their cooperation, while shifting the livestock from one place to another, as the miscreant elements can try to do some mischief.

In this meeting, probationary Dy. SP Mr. Kumaraswami, Circle Police Inspector, Mr. Guru Mathur, PSI Gowda and other officials were present.