By IANS,
Bangalore : Police are yet to arrest those who vandalised and took away the Quran from a mosque in Madikal village in Udupi district of Karnataka, even two days after the incident.
“We have registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the unidentified miscreants for attacking the Jumma mosque late Sunday. We are investigating the case though no arrest has been made so far,” Udupi assistant superintendent of police Kashinath Talakeri told IANS on phone Tuesday.
“The situation is under control in the village. Security has been stepped up at all mosques in the district,” Talakeri added.
Residents of the village learnt about the attack on the century-old unguarded mosque early Monday. Only Friday prayers are conducted in the mosque, which is the only place of worship for Muslims, who account for 20 out of the total 100 families in the village.
According to the mosque’s administrative board president Nizam Saheb, the attackers took advantage of the absence of any security and entered the mosque after damaging the main gate.
“The holy Quran is also missing from the mosque after the attack. The damage to the property is estimated at about Rs.5000,” he said, adding the attackers had damaged the mosque’s sound system, four tube lights, three fans and mats besides the main gate.
“We are hurt by the incident,” Saheb said.
Madikal is about 60 km from Udupi and 400 km from Bangalore.