Communal trouble began in Gokak

It was in the small town of Gokak in North Karnataka that the first riot broke out in the state this Holi

It was in the small town of Gokak in North Karnataka that the first riot broke out in the state this Holi

Reportedly, on Sunday night, a group of Holi revellers got into an argument with some youth from a different community in the city's Lakkad Galli neighbourhood. The altercation precipitated into a free-for-all that left five injured.

Aftermath: Bikes burn following the riots in Shimoga yesterday

While 11 people were placed in judicial custody following the incident, the police could not prevent the incident from spreading to neighbouring cities like Belgaum.

Heated exchange

Belgaum Superintendent of Police Sonia Narang said, "Members of the two communities had a heated exchange after which they came to blows. The situation is now under control. We hope there are no more such conflicts in Belgaum or it will be a big headache for the state."

MP Sarravvagol, the inspector of Gokak , said it was not correct to say that the communal conflagration began in the city under his jurisdiction. "This is not the truth. We have to look for the reasons for the riots in other cities."

The police, wary of more such conflagrations breaking out in various towns in North Karnataka, have imposed Section 144, which places several checks on assembly and movement of citizens.