SHIMOGA: Violence broke out in Shimoga, around 275 kms from Bengaluru, after three men on a bike were attacked by some people on Thursday night.

According to the police, the three men who were riding the same bike, were allegedly stabbed by Popular Front of India (PFI) activists. While the bike rider, Vishwanathan, died, the other two — his two pillion riders — received grave injuries. They injured have been shifted to Nanjappa hospital and have not been identified yet.

The police said that the assailants fled the scene and are still at large.

Two groups — RSS and PFI — clashed after some sloganeering against each other and violence erupted. Around 15 shops, houses and vehicles were burnt by the angry mob.

The police imposed Section 144 around 8.30 pm. Till the latest news, the police had asked the PFI activists, who had come from Mangaluru and Kerala, to return.

Police also resorted to lathicharge to disperse the mob near Shivappa circle. Six rounds of tear gas was also fired in the air by the police.

The administration has declared holiday in schools and colleges.