Communal tension breaks out in Bangalore
Friday, 14th August 2020
Violence broke out in east Bengaluru on Tuesday night claiming three lives. A Congress MLA’s house came under attack by a mob incensed by a social media post that reeked of communalism allegedly put up by the minister’s nephew.
The KG Halli police station in east Bengaluru also came under mob attack as rioters demanded a case be registered against Pulakeshinagar MLA Akhand Srinivasa Murthy's nephew. Several police vehicles too were sabotaged.
Strains were first felt in the city when a post on Facebook that made derogatory comments about a community, was put up. Murthy’s nephew however later stated that his account had been hacked and he was on the verge of filing a complaint about it.
Several community leaders were called upon to allay the mob that was going out of control. Reserve police squads were also invoked who rushed to the location. The state capital was put under restrictions imposed by Section 144 of CrPC.
Kamal Pant, the Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, tweeted that the police have made over 100 arrests for “arson, stone pelting and assault on police”. This includes the person who shared the offensive post, Naveen.
Also arrested were SDPI leaders Mujamil Pasha and Ayaz who were linked directly with the violence.
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said on Wednesday that stern steps against the miscreants would be adopted by the authorities. Such “provocations and rumors” were intolerable and attacks on police, public and journalists is “unacceptable”, he said.
Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai also warned that strong action would be taken against the perpetrators. He said they have deployed additional force to “bring things under control” and police have been given “complete powers to take action”.
Murthy as well as former CM Siddaramaiah took to social media to criticize the violence and appealed the people to stay calm and maintain peace.
The senior Congress leader also said that he has advised local police to make arrests of all those involved in the incident and extends support to the state government in reinstating peace.
Source: Hindustan Times