Mangaluru, (DHNS): A youth suffered severe head injuries when he was assaulted by three bike-borne men in Ullal police limits late on Saturday, adding to the tension in the region.

Earlier in the day, the funeral procession of an RSS worker was stoned, leading to vandalism in Bantwal. He was the victim of a similar attack on July 4. On Saturday, Chiranjeevi (24), a resident of Ranipura, was riding home from the gym when three men followed him and struck him on the head with swords at Kotraguttu.

Despite his injuries, Chiranjeevi managed to reach Kuthar, from where his friends rushed him to K S Hegde Medical Hospital in Deralakatte.

A deity’s picture on his bike provoked the attack, it was rumoured. A few months ago, an attempt to murder RSS worker Rammohan was reported from the same spot. Senior police officials have rushed to the hospital.

Earlier in the day, tension gripped Bantwal taluk after the funeral procession of RSS worker Sharath was pelted with stones near B C Road on Friday. Sharath was assaulted by bike-borne miscreants on the night of July 4. He succumbed to injuries on Friday.

Amid tight police security, his body was taken from A J Hospital in Mangaluru to his native Sajipamunnur in Bantwal taluk.

25-km procession

More than 1,000 two-wheelers and a few hundred four-wheelers of Sangh Parivar workers took part in the 25-km procession, waving black flags.

The procession left Mangaluru at 10.30 am, and wound its way via Padil, Kannur, Adyar, Farangipete and B C Road.

The procession following the hearse was at Kaikamba (about 1 km before B C Road) when it was greeted by a hail of stones.

Lohith, a resident of Innoli, suffered injuries. This resulted in retaliation by those in the procession, who threw stones at houses, shops and commercial complexes.

ATM damaged

Some commercial establishments, a Canara Bank ATM and about 10 vehicles were damaged. Police caned the crowd. RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat paid homage to Sharath in front of his laundry at B C Road. All shops and business establishments at Thumbe, Farangipete, Bantwal and B C Road remained closed. B C Road is a town adjoining Bantwal.

10 arrests

IGP (Western range) P Harishekaran told DH the procession was pelted with stones at four spots.Police have filed four cases and arrested 10 people. They have also videographed the procession and captured footage of the vandalism. All those involved in the incident will be arrested, he said. Superintendent of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy and Harishekaran are camping in Bantwal and closely monitoring the situation.

“We have video footage of some people sitting in vehicles and pelting stones. We have started a drive to identify the vehicles as well. The stone-pelting video that went viral on social media is also being verified,” Harishekaran said.

A total of 1,300 police personnel had been deployed to ensure the procession went off peacefully. After the stone-pelting, security was further tightened. Police barricaded roads at 20 locations in Bantwal taluk. Vehicles carrying stones and lethal weapons were seized, Harishekaran said.

Last rites

Sharath’s body reached his house at Kendoor at Sajipamunnur, Bantwal, at 12.45 pm. The body was placed outside for public homage till 3 pm. The last rites were performed in the garden in front of his house at 3.30 pm.