Kumta: The Muslim community of Kumta, under the banner of Jamaat-ul-Muslimeen, alleged that by targeting the minorities, a few people are trying to destroy peace and communal harmony of Kumta town.

They demanded that the police and the district administration to arrest such people and punish them. More than 50 members of Jamat gathered in the Uttar-Kannada DC office on 20th March, Monday in Karwar city and submitted a memorandum to the Home Minister through the Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner in this regard.

They said Hindus, Muslims and Christians are living in peace with love, affection and brotherhood here in Kumta. But few miscreants and scoundrels with anti-social mindset are trying to destroy communal harmony and attacking the Muslim youths. “Though many mosques and temples are located nearby, people of Kumta town are living in peace. Personal fights were being given communal colour during the recent violence in Kumta. It has become a black mark on the town,” a protester said.

A youth by name Huzaif Shaikh was beaten up at Murur hill for some other reason around a couple months back. The same youth was again beaten up on charges of showing disrespect to ‘Rama Ratha’ in the town, they said. Even the Police Department is not inquiring into the complaints of minorities properly.

Therefore Huzaif, who was arrested on false allegation, should be released and those who have beaten him up should be arrested, they demanded.

On the occasion Kumta Jamat-Ul-Muslimeen president Muhammad Shafi Shaikh, Vice-President Muhammad Mohsin Quazi, Gen secretary Abdur Razzak, Akbar Mulla, Abdul Shukur Shaikh, Muzaffar Shaikh, Iqbal Shaikh, Mehtab Ali Ismail, Iftiqar Shaikh, Amjad Shaikh, Ameen Chitrgi amongst many others were present.