Mangalore: There was tension in the air on September 6, Friday night at Kadri when ABVP activists gheraoed the residence of Mangalore South MLA JR Lobo demanding steps to improve conditions at the Backward Classes and minorities hostels.

They waited outside the MLA residence raising slogans  and waited for the MLA to arrive in the house. They failed to heed to the police who asked them  to disperse and were finally detained, This led to the gathering of a large crowd outside Kadri police station seeking the release of the arrested. The arrival of Congress men demanding FIR against the protestors further radded to tension. Finally MLA Lobo arrived and assured to discuss the issue at a  meeting to be convened shortly.

It is learnt, he also directed to release the students but detain the rest who, he felt had prejudiced motives behind the agitation because the problem was not raised when the BJP corporators were representing the area.