CT News Desk

Two youths, reportedly owing allegiance to Bajrang Dal, have been arrested in Mangaluru and charged with waylaying, harassing and questioning a man and a woman belonging to different religions for travelling together on a motorbike in the city.

The incident on Monday evening in Dakshina Kannada district led to tension in the area, media reports quoted police authorities as saying. The arrested individuals have been identified as Akshay Rao and Shibin Paddikal, reports citing city Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal said.

The police are yet to confirm their affiliation with the Hindutva organisation and are currently questioning them. Following the incident, youths of two religions gathered and got into a heated argument in the Morgans Gate area.

According to police, a young woman from Chikkamagaluru was riding a scooter with Noorullah Ameen. They both worked at a wholesale sports showroom at Mulihithlu in Mangaluru and were returning after getting a mobile phone repaired.

The two arrested men, noticing the duo moving together for some time, chased and stopped them for questioning, shouting at the girl for being with a boy from another community. After locals informed the police, a Hoysala team rescued the two victims.

Upon learning about the incident, young men from both religions arrived at the spot and engaged in heated arguments. The Pandeshwara police rushed to the spot and dispersed the crowd and the accused were taken to the police station. The accused are already facing assault and similar charges in Kankanady and Mangaluru East police station limits.