K.R. Pet: Tension prevailed in Billenahalli village of K.R. Pet Taluk following a clash between two groups of JD(S) and Congress broke out yesterday evening. However, the Police managed to control the clashing groups.  According to reports, the clashes took place over political rivalry where supporters of former Taluk Panchayat (TP) attacked the house of the current TP Member. Police said that at around 4.30 pm yesterday, supporters of former TP Member B.R. Kumar of Congress attacked the house of current TP Member B.N. Dinesh of JD(S).

The attackers broke window panes of the house and also damaged three cars that were parked in front of the house. Dinesh, his brother Puneeth, mother Manjamma and two others and Ravikumar, Manjegowda and Vijayakumar, all supporters of Kumar, have been injured and admitted to a hospital.

Sources said that MLA Narayanagowda had launched a series of development programmes at Billenahalli yesterday. Supporters of Dinesh were upset as their leader was not invited to the programmes though the MLA and their leader belonged to the same party. And also the MLA, after the programme, is said to have visited the house of Kumar’s brother Suresh and invited Congress leader Kumar to join JD(S).

This led to heated argument between the supporters of Dinesh and Kumar, who hurled abuses at each other.

In the evening, Kumar’s supporters gathered in front of Dinesh’s house and pelted stones. Seeing the commotion, Dinesh and his family members came out and they clashed with the group that was outside the house. The Police were immediately informed and a team rushed to the spot where the clashing groups were lathi-charged and dispersed. The Police have beefed up security in the village. SP G. Radhika visited the village and requested the villagers to maintain peace.

According to Radhika, cases will be booked against whomever responsible. Dinesh, however, alleged that MLA Narayanagowda was causing a rift within the JD(S) by openly supporting Congress. He alleged that the MLA instigated the youths and that was the reason for the clashes.