Belagavi, 2 Nov

Five people were injured, two of them seriously, after unidentified men attacked them with knives and machetes during Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations near Lakshmi Complex in Sadashiv Nagar, under APMC police limits, on Saturday night.

Commissioner of Police Bhushan Borase said the attack occurred when a group of youths were dancing in a procession marking the State’s foundation day. A gang suddenly charged into the crowd, assaulted five people, and fled.

Four victims sustained stab injuries, while another suffered a head wound. Two critically injured were admitted to KLE Hospital, and three others to the district hospital. All are residents of Nehru Nagar and reported to be out of danger.

Police are analysing CCTV footage to identify the assailants and ascertain the motive. “The attack was purely personal and unrelated to Rajyotsava or any ‘black day’ activities,” Borase said, urging people to ignore rumours and maintain peace. The injured were identified as Gurunath Vakkund, Sachin Kamble, Lokesh Betageri, Mahesh Sunkad, and Vinayak Nyamagouder.

Meanwhile, a selfie of Malmaruti police inspector GM Kalimirchi with MES leader Shubham Shelke drew criticism online. The officer had earlier recommended Shelke’s externment for allegedly disturbing linguistic harmony.

Home Minister G Parameshwar said disciplinary action would be taken, stressing that officials must uphold loyalty to the state and its language. “The government will not tolerate such embarrassment,” he said. The BJP criticised the state government’s handling of the issue and demanded the inspector’s suspension.