Bagalkot: Just as the city was returning to normalcy after last week’s stone-pelting and slipper-throwing incident during the Shivaji Jayanti procession, fresh tension erupted on Friday when police arrived to detain a Hindu youth.

Police had come in a private car to take into custody Muthu Magi, a resident of Ambiger Galli in the Killa area. During the operation, a heated argument broke out between the police and local youths and women. They questioned why an innocent youth who had committed no wrongdoing was being detained and tried to prevent the police from taking him away.

A scuffle followed between the police and locals. When the police attempted to seat Muthu Magi in the car and leave, women and youths blocked the vehicle by placing metal sheets and stones in front of it. As the situation escalated, the police left without detaining the youth. The incident has once again created a tense atmosphere in Bagalkot city.

Women from Ambiger Galli alleged that the police had come in a private car without issuing any notice and were trying to detain an innocent Hindu youth. They expressed anger, stating that instead of arresting those responsible for stone-pelting during the Shivaji Jayanti procession and those who had allegedly gathered illegally at a mosque, the police were targeting innocent Hindu activists.

Police have not clarified the reason for attempting to detain Muthu Magi. However, it is reported that two Hindu youths had already been taken into custody in connection with the incident in which vegetable market shops were set on fire and stones were thrown the day after the procession. Based on video footage from the day of the incident, police were reportedly preparing to make further arrests related to the case.