Three people died in police firing after violence erupted in Bengaluru on Tuesday (August 11) over an alleged derogatory social media post by a Congress leader’s relative. The police opened fire after angry mobs attacked the house of Pulakeshinagar MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy and went berserk in DJ Halli and KG Halli police station areas of Bengaluru. Sources said that over 50 people have got injured in the violent clashes.
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Wednesday (August 12) said that he has ordered the concerned authorities to take strict action against those involved in the incident. CM Yediyurappa noted that all possible steps have been taken by the government to maintain law and order in the city. The Karnataka CM appealed to people to maintain peace and asserted that violence against journalists, police and people was unacceptable.
“The miscreants in the DJ Halli police station has led to the assault and rioting at MLA Akhand Srinivasa`s house and police station. Already, directives have been issued against the perpetrators and the government has taken all possible steps to curb the situation,” he said.
“The attack on journalists, the police and the public in the riot last night was unacceptable. The government will not tolerate such provocations and rumours. Strict action against perpetrators is certain. I appeal to people to maintain peace and act with restraint and without panic,” added CM Yediyurappa.
According to sources in the Bengaluru police, DJ Halli cops have arrested a political activist belonging to SDPI. He has been identified as Muzzamil Pasha. The accused had also contested BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) election from Sagayapura ward unsuccessfully.
Besides Muzamil, another SDPI activist Ayaz has also provoked the rioters to vandalize the two police stations at DJ Halli and KG Halli area in East Bengaluru. It is alleged that the violence was fully pre-planned and police will investigate it from all angles. Special teams are combing the area and 150 people have been arrested so far.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant said that restrictions under CrPC Section 144 have been imposed in the city and curfew has been imposed in DJ Halli and KG Halli police station limits to keep the situation under control. He added that accused Naveen has been arrested for sharing derogatory post on Facebook.
The angry mobs also pelted stones on cops guarding the MLA’s residence. The MLA was reportedly not at his residence when the mobs came out to vent their anger against the derogatory posts shared by his relative