Kargil takes backseat amid patriotic fever

KOZHIKODE, JUNE 26: An excess of patriotism, as of anything, can be positively harmful. That, and a wilful negligence or unwitting lapse ...

KOZHIKODE, JUNE 26: An excess of patriotism, as of anything, can be positively harmful. That, and a wilful negligence or unwitting lapse on the part of the layman in paying due regard to the symbols of nationalism could upset peaceful life even in the sylvan retreats of Kerala. As the people of Vattakkinar near the city here are learning, the hard way.

Gunshots or shells from distant Kargil may never ricochet in these parts, but displaying India8217;s maps sans Kashmir have already landed a restaurant owner and his people at Vattakkinar in trouble. In another incident the operator and crew of a city bus are struggling hard to bail themselves out of the offence of carrying a sticker which showed the country8217;s map without Kashmir.

The two incidents that took place in the last couple of days have flared up the sentiments of the local public and the city dwellers, but neither the police nor impartial observers are yet to detect any malicious design or pattern behind the incidents.

The first incident atVattakkinar caught public attention on Wednesday night, when some of the customers at a small restaurant run by one by Abdul Azeez, a native of Idimuzhikkal in Malappuram district.

The map along with the advertisement of a car was pasted on the wall in the kitchen of the hotel and visible to customers sitting in the entrance room of the hotel. When a couple of customers noticed the map from which the portion of Kashmir was torn off, an altercation followed. According to a neighbouring shopkeeper, it was the arrogant response of the hotel employees and the relatives of Abdul Azeez who runs the restaurant that developed a tense situation on the hotel premises.

The police arrested 10 persons including two sons of Azeez and promptly produced them before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court. Section 124 A of IPC was also slammed on them for attempting to show disrespect to the nation and 153 A and B of IPC for trying to cause disharmony. But the police could not arrest Abdul Azeez as he couldn8217;t betraced.

According to Panniyankara police, the case is under investigation and the question whether the appearance of the map of India without Kashmir had any link with extremist elements is yet to be probed. Abdul Azeez who is the president of the local unit of Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi was not available for comments.

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Meanwhile, the city bus on which the sticker map was found, has been kept in the custody of the Nadakkavu police following the direction of the court but no one was arrested. The Nadakkavu police questioned the bus driver, Hussain and conductor Gireesh, both of Azhinjalem, but there was no clue yet as to who had actually stuck the offending map. The bus is owned by M Kunhahammed Kutty of Kuttikattor. The police have registered cases in this connection too.