Hubballi (Karnataka), Aug. 22 -- Tension prevailed in Old Hubballi on Saturday over a dispute concerning a pushkarani (temple water tank) near the Bhavani Shankar temple in Asar Oni, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders and deploy more than 1,500 police personnel in the communally sensitive locality.
The dispute has intensified after Hindu organisations announced a protest demanding removal of a cement-concrete road constructed at the site, claiming the area was part of the traditional pushkarani. The move has reportedly met resistance from local residents opposed to removal of the road.
With rival positions hardening and apprehensions of confrontation, the Hubballi-Dharwad police imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163...