Madikeri, May 16 -- Tension prevailed in Heruru tribal hamlet under Nakur Shirangala Gram Panchayat limits near Suntikoppa after police detained more than 40 persons from Tamil Nadu in connection with the alleged inauguration of an unauthorised church constructed without official permission.

The incident came to light when locals objected to the inauguration programme held inside the tribal settlement and alerted police and panchayat officials. A group of villagers intervened, stopped the event, and questioned the gathering of visitors who had reportedly arrived in five to six vehicles from Tamil Nadu.

Following the alert, officials including Kushalnagar Circle Inspector Pradeep, police officers from Suntikoppa and Kushalnagar stations,...