Bengaluru: On Tuesday night, 3 people were killed and over 60 police personnel were injured in police firing that broke out in Bangalore after violence riot took place over a “derogatory” social media post by the relative of a Congress MLA on Facebook.
As per the latest update, 145 people have been apprehended for violence, stone-throwing and assault on police officials.
Protesters set fire to more than 12 cars and then, circumvented the house of Congress MLA Srinivas Murthy situated in Karnataka capital. Murthy’s nephew Naveen has also been arrested for sharing the post on social media that led to violence in the city on Tuesday night.
The incident took place at Kaval Byrasandra in Bengaluru, outside Pulikeshi Nagar, Congress MLA R Akhanda Srinivas Murthy’s house. The mob alleged that a Facebook post by the MLA’s relative was offensive to Islam and its beliefs.
To disperse the bellicose crowd, the police had to use lathi-charge, tear gas and firing. As per reports,the incidents happened in the DG Halli and KG Halli areas in the eastern part of Bengaluru, Karnataka.
The Bangalore police posted on Twitter “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”.
A police station was attacked in the violence and 200 bikes which were kept at a police station were also set on fire. Bengaluru police commissioner Kamal Pant said that the situation is now under control. A curfew was imposed in the worst violence-hit areas of DG Halli and KG Halli until next morning. Large gatherings have also been banned in the rest of Bengaluru city.
One journalist was also injured by a hit from the police during reporting on the violence.
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, in the morning, condemned the attack and told that strict action would be taken against those who are involved in the violence.
Meanwhile, Section 144 CrPC imposed in Bengaluru city, curfew in DJ Halli and KG Halli police station limits.