Chikkamagaluru, Dec 16: Two people have been arrested for allegedly strewing nails on the road leading to Datta Peetha during the recently held Datta Jayanti here with an aim to create trouble for pilgrims, police said on Friday.
The accused have been identified as Mohammed Shahbaz (29) and Wahid Hussain (21), both residents of Dubai Nagar in the district headquarters town of Chikkamagaluru.
According to Chikkamagaluru District Superintendent of Police Uma Prashanth, people had complained that there were lots of small nails strewn on the road for three kilometres from Kaimara check-post to Datta Peetha during the festival held between December 6 and 8
The police registered a case on their own and started investigation, the officer said and added that Shahbaz and Hussain from Chikkamagaluru were arrested.
During preliminary interrogation, the duo revealed that they saw people celebrating the festival in a grand way by putting out posters and banners, Prashanth said.
"Since people were celebrating Datta Jayanti in a grand manner, they (accused) thought this should not happen. They decided to strew nails which will puncture the tyres of vehicles and disrupt vehicular movement. They wanted vehicles to stop and the pilgrims to suffer," she explained.
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Raichur: The priest of the Ambabhavani Temple in Athkur village has been accused of stopping Dalit youngsters from entering the temple for a ritual related the Navaratri festival, although related parties, including the priest and Dalit leaders of the village, have denied knowledge about the incident.
A video of the youngsters, belonging to the Madiga community, who wanted to wear the ritual garlands for the festive period, being denied entry into the temple and the priest handing them the garlands keeping them outside the threshold has gone viral on social media platforms.
Yapaladinni Police officers, however, have said no police complaint about the matter has been filed so far. In addition, Dalit leaders in Athkur have said no such incident has occurred in the village, but the police officers are conducting an inquiry since youngsters have alleged that they were denied entry into the temple.
The temple priest has also refuted the charges against him, clarifying that action will be taken if a complaint is filed.