Hindu, Muslim outfits to observe bandh in Kovai today

Both the Hindu and Muslim organisations, which announced a bandh on Friday, have called it off following appeals by the trader’s body. However, they postponed it to Saturday.

The shops, commercial establishments and hotels remained closed in areas such as Somanur, Karumathampatty and Kinathukadavu areas in Coimbatore. However, those in the city limits remained opened, while public transport, autos and other vehicles pliedas usual.  

The Hindu outfit is protesting against the attack on Hindu Munnani district secretary Anand. He was returning home in a two-wheeler after participating in a pro-CAA demonstration, when miscreants followed him and attacked on the back of his head on Nanjundapuram Road.

The Muslim organisations, meanwhile, called for a bandh against hurling of petrol bomb at a mosque near Ganapathy. No arrests have been made in both the incidents. The police claimed that investigations are on in the right track and hoped to nail the culprits soon.

As tension continued in the district, the police continued to maintain high vigil with enhanced patrolling. The police continued to be deployed in places of worship and crowded locations.

In Annur, a group of men ransacked a tailor shop after Anand Krishnan, a TPDK functionary refused to shut his shop, while most other establishments remained closed in theneighbourhood.

A few persons had asked Anand Krishnan to close the shop. However, he refused to shut, claiming to have large number of orders for the marriage season. Following a heated quarrel, the unruly men barged into his shop, ransacked the valuables and also assaulted him.

On receiving information, the Annur police rushed to the spot while large number of TPDK cadre gathered at the spot triggering tension. Further inquiries are on.

City Police Commissioner Sumit Sharan issued a warning against forcing shops to close. “The Hindu and Muslim organisations have announced a bandh in Coimbatore. But the hotels, shops and commercial establishments should not be forced to shut and violators will be dealt with severely. People can inform the police, if they were forced to close,” he said in a release.