3 Killed, Many Injured As Violence Erupts In Bengaluru

MLA Akhanda Srinivasmurthy’s Relative, 110 Arsonists Held For Bengaluru Violence

Bengaluru: Three people were killed and many injured in police firing in eastern parts of Bengaluru on Tuesday night over a Facebook message posted allegedly by a relative of a Congress MLA. Section 144 has been clamped in the area and the situation is reportedly tense but under control.

Over 60 police personnel were injured and 110 people have been arrested for violence, stone-throwing and assault on police personnel.

Congress MLA Srinivas Murthy’s house was partially damaged as protesters set fire to it. Over 25 four-wheelers were set on fire; 200 bikes kept at a police station were also set ablaze. A police station in the area was damaged in the violence.

It was Murthy’s nephew Naveen, who allegedly posted a provocative message and a cartoon pertaining to a rape incident on Facebook. The police took him into custody.

The violence spread as the police arrived late because the staff were on Covid duty. The strength is also depleted due to the virus outbreak.

The Bengaluru police tweeted to say: “DG Halli and KG Halli saw violent incidents. To bring this under control, police used lathi charge, tear gas and firing. The Police Commissioner went to the spot. Police bandobast is in place. Strict action will be taken against those offenders.”.

With regard to incidents in DJ Halli, accused Naveen arrested for posting derogatory posts.. also total 110 accused arrested for arson, stone pelting and assault on police. APPEAL TO ALL TO COOPERATE WITH POLICE TO MAINTAIN PEACE.

— Kamal Pant, IPS (@CPBlr) August 11, 2020

The police used lathi-charge, tear gas and firing to disperse the violent crowd.

Bengaluru police commissioner Kamal Pant said the situation has been brought under control. While a curfew has been imposed in the violence-hit areas of DG Halli and KG Halli till tomorrow morning, large gatherings have been banned in the rest of Bengaluru city.

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa condemned the attack and said strict action will be taken against the perpetrators of the violence.

ಡಿ.ಜಿ ಹಳ್ಳಿ ಪೊಲೀಸ್ ಠಾಣಾ ವ್ಯಾಪ್ತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಿಡಿಗೇಡಿಗಳು ಶಾಸಕ ಅಖಂಡ ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸ ಅವರ ಮನೆ ಹಾಗು ಪೋಲೀಸ್ ಠಾಣೆ ಮೇಲೆ ದಾಳಿ‌, ಗಲಭೆ ನಡೆಸಿರುವುದು ಖಂಡನೀಯ. ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ದುಷ್ಕರ್ಮಿಗಳ ವಿರುದ್ದ ನಿರ್ದಾಕ್ಷಿಣ್ಯ ಕ್ರಮ‌ ಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳುವಂತೆ ನಿರ್ದೇಶನ ನೀಡಲಾಗಿದ್ದು ಸರ್ಕಾರ ದಾಂಧಲೆ ಹತ್ತಿಕ್ಕಲು ಎಲ್ಲ ರೀತಿಯ ಕ್ರಮ ಕೈಗೊಂಡಿದೆ. (1/2)

— B.S. Yediyurappa (@BSYBJP) August 12, 2020

The Congress MLA had released a video appealing to the people to maintain peace. Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai also released a video message, saying people should not take law into their own hands.

He said that the police have been given a free hand to bring down the situation under control.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leaders Siddharamaiah and Dinesh Gundu Rao also appealed to people not to take the law into their hands.

What was written about the Prophet is the working of a sick mind with an intention to create violence.

It is highly objectionable and such statements about any person revered by any community needs to be handled in the strictest way possible by the authorities.

— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) August 11, 2020

“Horrible situation in Pulakeshinagar after the attack on our MLA @AkhandaSrinivas house and the Kaval Byrsandra Polcie satiation. Whatever the provocation nobody can take law into their own hands and destroy public property,” he said on Twitter.

“I urge all the people to maintain calm and the govt to handle this delicate situation firmly but surely and not play politics. I also see a conspiracy in the way the Facebook post has been put out & looks to have been done to incite disturbance,” he added.

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