Marine officer posted in Karwar, Karnataka assaults Ayyappa supporter, files counter complaint, suspended – Karnataka News

A naval officer has been suspended pending further investigation after a motorcycle accident turned into a violent encounter in Karnataka’s Karwar region.

Following the accident and violent incidents, the police opened criminal proceedings and are establishing the circumstances that led to the escalation.

The sequence of events began when a naval officer, Amit Handeri, reportedly hit Ayyappa’s devotee Srinivas Thakur with his motorcycle as Thakur was returning home. The incident took place near Mudaga village in Karnataka’s Karwar taluk of Uttara Kannada. The victim was taken by his companions to the Karwar Pikali Hospital for treatment.

According to local residents, tensions flared later that day when Khanderi, allegedly accompanied by around 20 others, intercepted the group near National Highway 66 around 9:00 p.m. The group reportedly attacked Thakur and his companions with sticks and stones, causing injuries heads stabbing Thakur and stealing the car keys before fleeing the scene.

Thakur filed a formal complaint and the Karwar police started an investigation into the incident.

A separate two-wheeler incident involving another naval officer, Yogesh Kumar, 24, and his colleague occurred near Todur on National Highway 66. The duo collided with a scooter, injuring its driver. As Kumar tried to help, a group of locals allegedly attacked him, demanding Rs 50,000 as compensation.

The situation worsened as the group forcibly detained Kumar in the car until other naval personnel arrived, forcing the assailants to disperse.

Local residents claimed that these were not isolated incidents as officers stationed at the Karwar Naval Base had been involved in several such violent clashes with residents.

The latest incidents have sparked a backlash, with authorities appealing for calm and urging all parties to cooperate with ongoing investigations.