Eid-e-Milad celebrations postponed

Move follows communal clashes in city, following which the police ordered prohibitory orders till March 5 midnight

Move follows communal clashes in city, following which the police ordered prohibitory orders tillu00a0 March 5 midnight

Following prohibitory orders imposed by the commissioner of police, the month long Eid-e-Milad celebrations in the city have been postponed. The order was enforced in wake of the communal clashes that gripped Shimoga and Hassan yesterday. City Police Commissioner SM Bidri said the prohibitory orders would continue till the midnight of March 5. Besides, additional police force has been deployed to monitor the law and order situation in sensitive areas. Meanwhile, local Muslim leaders have decided not to celebrate Prophet's birthday considering the circumstances.

Riots and the wrongs: A victim of the riots recuperates at a hospital in Shimoga yesterday

The controversy

The precautionary measures were undertaken by the police following clashes over the appearance of a controversial article on Prophet Mohammed in a leading Kannada newspaper.u00a0 The Cubbon police have registered a suo-motto case against the publisher, editor and author under Section 153 of IPC for inciting communal disharmony. As soon as the news about the derogatory article spread, people resorted to stone pelting. Several vehicles were damaged and many shops and establishments were also looted.

Two dead

To control the mob, the cops opened firing in Shimoga, killing two people. The deceased have been identified as Sadiq and Latif. Later, to quell the mob, the government imposed curfew in the town.

SMSu00a0campaign

An SMS is being circulated in the city urging Muslims to condemn the controversial article. The message reads, "Kannada Prabha newspaper mein Allah aur Rasool (SAW) ke shaan mein gustakhi ki hai aur burkhe ko zaleel kiya hai. Inhein jawaab dein."