A Facebook post filled up with communal remarks sparked violent clashes in Bengaluru on Tuesday night in which a mob vandalized a police station and the residence of a Congress MLA. Amidst the violent clashes, three people lost their lives while 60 police personnel have been left injured after being attacked by the mob.
Reportedly, a Facebook post was allegedly derogatory to Prophet Mohammad.
Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa has said, “Directives have been issued against perpetrators and the government has taken all possible steps to curb the situation. Attack on journalists, police, and the public is unacceptable. The government won't tolerate such provocations and rumors. Strict action against perpetrators is certain.”
Key Highlights and developments on Bengaluru clashes:
1) Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant said, “Accused Naveen has been arrested for sharing derogatory posts on social media.” It was alleged by the mob that the post was made by a relative of Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy.
2) The Muslim mob hit the streets near DJ Halli and KG Halli police station areas on Tuesday evening and vandalized a Congress MLA’s house along with the vehicles that were parked outside.
3) Over 100 people had gathered around the residence of Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivasamurthy, who represents Pulikeshinagar constituency which is reserved for the Scheduled Caste (SC), around 7:00 PM on Tuesday. The Muslim mob, armed with sticks, iron rods, sharp metal objects, and other weapons, went frantic and barged into the house of the MLA.
4) The agitated mob pelted stones and began to torch vehicles, ATMs, shops near the locality while protesting against the alleged derogatory post made by one of the relatives of Dalit Congress MLA Akhanda Shrinivasamurthy.
5) The situation, however, became worse after two separate Muslim mobs gathered in front of KG Halli and DJ Halli police stations. The Muslim mobs locked the gates from outside and pelted stones at the police station. At least 10 vehicles, including Innovas of two DCPs, were damaged in front of the stations. The mob also set fire to the vehicles in front of the DJ Halli police station. It has been learned, the mob vandalized the nearby police station believing the cops are hiding the accused man who shared the post inside the station.
The Muslim mob was seen raising Islamic slogans like ‘Allah-hu-Akbar’ and ‘Nara-e-Taqbeer’ outside the police station.
6) BJP MLA Sunil Kumar has demanded that properties of the vandals who damaged public property be confiscated for the losses they have caused.
7) As the police teams tried to control the mob from damaging property and setting things on fire, the mob rampaged through the locality. Around 10-15 cars were set on fire in the area while a part of the MLA’s residence was also damaged. Police vehicles were damaged and set on fire. A group entered a basement area where 200-250 vehicles were set on fire, said the Commissioner.
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8) As police struggled to contain vandalism and arson, the Karnataka government gave permission to open fire around midnight as the mob turned too violent. Police opened fire in the air.
10) Two people were killed in police firing in Bengaluru and the situation was finally brought under control around 2 am. Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said riots and arson are against law and warned the rioters that he has given police a free hand to contain the violence.
A total of 110 people have been arrested so far for vandalism and attacking police personnel during the violence that broke out in the DG Halli locality in Bengaluru.
Restrictions under Section 144 of CrPC have been imposed in Bengaluru and curfew has been imposed in DJ Halli and KG Halli police station limits of the city.
The residents of the localities now gripped by panic, starting to leave houses along with kids and women to other areas in an attempt to save their lives from the Muslim mob.
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