Kadkol village in Haveri district was engulfed in tension late Wednesday following an administrative order aimed at reclaiming Waqf property reportedly occupied by various residents.
The conflict escalated into violence, leading to stone-pelting and injuries, as villagers expressed outrage over fears that their homes and properties would be seized by the Waqf Board.
The unrest began after an order was issued on September 7, following a directive from Waqf and Minority Welfare Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan.
In a September 3 meeting, the minister instructed district authorities to initiate measures to recover land identified as Waqf property. This move alarmed the residents of Kadkol in Savanur taluk, triggering violent protests.
According to sources, villagers accused certain individuals of collaborating with authorities to have their properties recorded as Waqf assets. As tempers flared, stones were thrown, several homes were ransacked, and a motorcycle was vandalized.
The violence left five people injured, one of whom suffered serious injuries and was transported to Hubballi’s KIMS Hospital. Authorities have confirmed that the person is now in stable condition.
The local administration acted swiftly to quell the unrest. Approximately 200 police personnel, supported by four Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) platoons, were deployed to restore order.
Haveri district superintendent of police Anshu Kumar stated that 32 individuals had been detained for questioning and assured that stringent action would be taken against those who disrupted peace.
The Waqf minister, B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, responded by blaming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for sowing discord and misleading farmers. He expressed dismay over the violence in Kadkol, a village known for its communal harmony, and emphasized that the government has no intention of acquiring farmers’ land. “Farmers need not panic as we will never acquire their land,” he stated, urging calm among the populace.
Local officials have attempted to clarify the scope of the order. Deputy Commissioner Vijay Mahantesh explained that assistant commissioners and tahsildars had been instructed to review property records claimed by the District Waqf Board. “This means not all these properties belong to the Waqf Board,” he said, in an effort to dispel fears of mass property seizures.
Haveri MP and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai called for the immediate withdrawal of the notices issued to farmers and demanded the removal of Waqf asset classifications from land records. Bommai underscored the need for transparency and fairness, advocating for the protection of farmers’ rights.
Complicating matters further, the Haveri District Waqf Board has recently laid claim to other substantial properties in the region, including the 20-acre premises of the Haveri District Court and a 19-acre Hindu burial ground in Tadas village, Shiggaon taluk. These claims have fueled concerns over potential further disputes.
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