Bhatkal: Western Range Inspector General of Police (IGP) Arun Chakravarthi on Saturday visited few of the historical places in Bhatkal including Haduvalli Temple, Jamia Masjid, Moni Basadi and a centuries-old famous Barni house, and interacted with the locals to obtain knowledge. He said that Bhatkal has a quite old history, which he has read enough in books. He also said that he have read about the Jain culture, Arab culture and Tippu Sultan's masjid existing in Bhatkal, and wanted to visit this town.

During his visit to Jamia Masjid, president of Bhatkal Jamat Ul Muslimeen SP Shafi, general secretary Maulvi Talha Ruknuddin, secretary-1 SM Abdul Azeem, Deputy Qazi Maulana Abdur Rab Nadvi, vice president SJ Syed Hashim, former president Jaan Abdur Rahman Mohtesham and others were present.

Earlier records of Jamia masjid were shown to IGP, according to which the masjid was constructed in 850 AH. The minaret of masjid has a clutch of gold, for which the Jamia masjid is famously called as Chinnada Palli" (Gold Mosque).

IGP Arun Chakravarthi was accompanied by Uttar Kannada SP Vinayak Patil, Bhatkal DySP Valentine Dsouza, Bhatkal CPI Ganesh, and many other police officials. It is said that IGP had reached Bhatkal after visiting Honnavar, and will be back to Mangaluru after visiting a few more places on the way.