Residents abandon villages fearing arrest

YERAKOTE: Two days after six people were charred by a mob in Yerakote village and four lynched in Barla Halli, men folk have abandoned not only the two villages but also the neighbouring villages, fearing arrest.
Around 40 villages of Chintamani taluk in Chikballapur district wore a deserted on Tuesday. The only people seen now are women, children below the age of 14 years and elderly people.The prohibitory orders clamped by the district administration in the taluk has added to the tension as schools and colleges have been closed since two days. Villagers are reluctant to speak to the media.