Village clash in hassan escalates over road dispute; Assault allegations trigger outrage

Hassan: A long-standing feud between two groups in a village in Hassan district has escalated into a serious law-and-order issue, with shocking allegations of assault on a woman surfacing amid a dispute over road access. The incident occurred in Hanchihalli village of Belur taluk, where tensions rooted in a local election held nearly a decade ago continue to divide the community.

According to complaints filed at the Halebeedu Police Station, the conflict reignited when five families attempted to construct a road to access their homes, allegedly following directions from revenue authorities. However, the move reportedly led to violent clashes between two factions belonging to the same community.

Members of the affected families have alleged that during the confrontation on March 22, a group of individuals forcefully entered a house, dragged a woman outside, and assaulted her. The victim has further alleged that her clothes were pulled during the attack, describing the act as inhuman and humiliating. A video of the incident has reportedly gone viral, intensifying public outrage.

The complainants have named several individuals, including Gangabovi, Shivakumar, Soma, Kiran, Anand, Puneeth, Pratap, Prasanna, Nagabovi, and Manjabovi, accusing them of repeated harassment and violence over the past eight years. They claim the hostility began after a Gram Panchayat election, where political rivalry triggered deep divisions in the village.

The affected families approached district authorities seeking protection, stating that around 20 other families in the village have been targeting them and obstructing their movement. They alleged that despite officials marking the road, access has been blocked and threats to their lives continue.

Police have registered cases and counter-cases based on complaints from both sides. Authorities confirmed that around 10 individuals have been booked, and six arrests have already been made. However, some accused persons are still at large.

Meanwhile, relatives of the arrested individuals have alleged bias, claiming that the local police officer acted in favour of one group. Officials, however, maintain that action was taken strictly in accordance with the law following instructions from the  administration.

The situation in the village remains tense, with repeated clashes now spilling onto the streets. What began as a political rivalry has transformed into a prolonged social conflict, raising serious concerns about rural law enforcement and community harmony.

Police officials stated that a detailed investigation is underway and the truth behind the allegations, including the serious charge of assault, will be established based on evidence.