BENGALURU, 29 MAY 

In a dramatic show of dissent, hundreds of Muslim Congress workers and leaders in Dakshina Kannada district resigned en masse on Thursday, accusing the State government and police of failing to curb communal violence in the region.

The resignations were announced during an emotionally charged emergency meeting at Shaadi Mahal auditorium in Bolar, Mangaluru. Prominent figures among those stepping down were KPCC General Secretary MS Mohammed, Minority Cell district president Shahul Hameed and Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee vice-president and former Mangaluru mayor K Ashraf.

The immediate trigger was the brutal killing of Abdul Rahman, 32, secretary of Kolattamajalu Jumma Masjid, on Tuesday afternoon along with his 29-year-old colleague Kalandar Shafi. The attack came just weeks after the murder of right-wing activist Suhas Shetty, fuelling fears of retaliatory violence spiralling out of control.

"Mangaluru shuts down by 7pm out of fear. Minority students are too afraid to come to the city," said Hameed.

"What’s the point of holding positions (in the ruling party) when the government fails to protect our community?" asked another leader. 

Four held in Bantwal murder 

Meanwhile, Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said four people have been arrested in connection with the murder of a 32-year-old muslim man in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada district. 

"We have received some serious information from them, using which further investigation and action will follow," he said. "We will take merciless action irrespective of whoever the culprits are. We will not rest unless we suppress such communal activities and murders."

There should be communal harmony in that region. There should not be any hatred among Hindus and Muslims. We have to bring harmony there, for which we had a discussion

Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister