Five YouTubers, TV reporter injured as 2 groups clash over Dharmasthala secret burials case
A group of Dharmasthala residents had a heated argument with representatives of YouTube channels covering the investigation into the alleged secret burials that were conducted by a former sanitation worker between 1998 and 2014. At around 5 pm, several residents blocked the YouTubers near Shantivana, located close to Dharmasthala.
According to the victims, the residents took exception to the 'negative media coverage' about the temple town and assaulted at least five people. Two vehicles were damaged, apart from cameras and phones of the YouTubers present at the site, they said.
Ajay Anchan of the Kudla Rampage online channel, Santosh of Sanchari Studio, Abhishek of United Media, a cameraman, and another person were injured in the incident. A few of the victims suffered head injuries. However, all the five are recuperating at a private hospital in Ujire and said to be out of danger.
Following the attack, a large number of supporters belonging to a group formed after the rape and murder of a college student in 2012 gathered at the place, along with 'supporters' of Dharmasthala. This resulted in a tense situation and additional police personnel rushed to the spot.
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With the two groups at each other's throats, the police resorted to mild caning to control the situation. The 'supporters' of Dharmasthala then protested in front of the Dharmasthala police station. They raised slogans alleging that people with vested interests were defaming the temple town, and sought action against them.
Meanwhile, supporters of the group seeking justice for the college student assaulted a reporter of a Kannada news TV channel. Harish Ramaswamy, the reporter, told indianexpress.com that he was seeking a response to the attacks on YouTubers when the assailants attacked him alleging bias.
The clashes took place amid the inspections being carried out in Dharmasthala by the Special Investigation Team, formed after the whistleblower filed a police complaint claiming that he had been forced to bury several bodies of alleged sexual assault and murder victims.
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