Police used mild force to disperse clashing groups of people at Bantwal today when the slain RSS worker's body was being taken to his home for funeral in a procession at Kandur in the district.
The body of 28-year old Sarath Madivala, who succumbed to injuriesyesterday after an attack by unidentified assailants on July 4 at Bantwal, was taken in a procession from A J Hospital here by a large number of BJP and RSS leaders and workers.
Madivala was battling for life for three days at the hospital and died last evening, hospital sources said.
Police said trouble started when the procession passed through BC Road, where Madivala had his laundry shop.
Two groups started pelting stones at each other and shops following which police used mild force.
Many vehicles including three cars, an auto rickshaw and a bus were damaged in the stone-pelting, police said.
Police have deployed over 2,000 personnel including CRPF men to maintain the law and order situation in the area.
Defying prohibitory orders, Hindu organisations and the BJP had yesterday staged a protest at Bantwal protesting the attack.
BJP leaders, including MPs Nalin Kumar Kateel and Shobha Karandlaje, were arrested during the protest and later released.
Police said security has been tightened in the communally sensitive district following the worker's death.
Prohibitory orders are in force till July 11 in Puttur, Sullia, Belthangady and Bantwal in coastal Dakshina Kannada district following recent communal clashes in some areas, according to the police.
The orders were initially enforced in Bantwal from May 27 following skirmishes between two groups. Later, it was extended to the four taluks as violence spread.
The murder of a Social Democratic Party of India worker at Benjanapadavu in Bantwal on June 21 further escalated the tension forcing authorities to extend prohibitory orders.
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