Savarkar portrait row: Shivamogga City police register seven FIRs so far

Three youths, including a 17-year-old teen, were attacked in Shivamogga. Prem Singh, who was stabbed, is undergoing treatment.

Shivamogga Police have registered seven cases, including three with regard to the assault on youths, since the row over displaying the portraits of V.D. Savarkar began in the city on August 13.

Three youths were assaulted in different incidents reported since Saturday. The assaulted are Prem Singh, Saddam Hussain Jamkhand and another 17-year-old boy. Many BJP leaders have visited to enquire about the condition of Prem Singh, who was stabbed by a group of people near Gandhi Bazar soon after clashes broke out on Monday. The other two have been discharged from the hospital.

Prem Singh, 20, was stabbed while returning home after closing the shop where he works as a labourer. The police have arrested four accused including Mohammed Jabi, whom the police nabbed after shooting at him on Tuesday morning.

Saddam Hussain Jamkhandi, 19, was assaulted by a group of people at Uppar Keri, while he was returning home from the metal store at Gandhi Bazar, where he worked. He told the media that a group of people stopped his two-wheeler and enquired about his name and started assaulting him. “They hit my neck and back with sharp objects. It seems they attacked me because my name is Saddam Hussain.” he said. The attackers only let him go as they noticed a police vehicle passing nearby. Saddam later reached home with the help of local people and filed a complaint.

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A 17-year-old boy was assaulted on August 13, the day when the row over displaying Savarkar’s photo began. A couple of people had objected to the display of the portrait at City Centre Mall and had got it removed. Later, a group of BJP followers staged a protest, demanding the arrest of those who objected to the photo.

The victim’s uncle Zakir Hussain, who filed the complaint with Doddapete Police, told The Hindu that his nephew had been to the shopping mall to have snacks. “There was a gathering of people for a protest who asked his name. As soon as he told them his name, he was assaulted by the group. Fortunately, the police nearby rescued him and took him to the station,” he said.