Belthangady: Dumping cattle remains at riverbank; two arrested

Belthangady: Two individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the dumping of cattle remains in 11 sacks along the banks of the Mrityunjaya River near Annaru Bridge in Charmadi village.

The accused, identified as Muhammad Irshad (28) from Katrigudde, Charmadi, and Muhammad Ajmal (30) from Sunnath Kere, Koovettu, were arrested by Dharmasthala police and presented before the court.

On December 17, as many as 11 sacks containing cattle remains, including bones and carcasses, were found discarded near Annaru Bridge in Charmadi Gram Panchayat limits. Following the filing of a complaint, an investigation was initiated by the Dharmasthala police station.

This led to public outcry, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal demanded swift action.

VHP, Bajrang Dal to hold protest in Kakkinje

Belthangady: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal announced that a massive protest would be held on January 6 in Kakkinje against the dumping of cattle remains into the Mrityunjaya River.

A meeting held on January 3 at Sharada Mantapa, Ujire, saw Hindu organizations express full support for the upcoming protest. Initially planned for December 30, the protest was postponed after the police assured that the culprits would be caught within a week, said Dinesh Charmadi, Bajrang Dal Taluk President.

The river is a sacred site with prominent religious places like Dharmasthala and Pajiradka along its banks. Local residents expressed outrage, alleging that the act aimed to desecrate these holy locations. They also highlighted that Ayyappa devotees often bathe in the river and called the act deliberate and provocative.