Karnataka distt tense after stone pelting on procession
BENGALURU: Prohibitory orders have been imposed in Karnataka’s Kolar district till Monday after stone pelting at a religious procession triggered violence in Mulbagal town on Friday night, the police said, adding that nine people have been detained in connection with the case.
According to the police, the incident took place around 6.50 pm on Friday when ‘Sri Rama Shobha Yatre’, an annual procession organised on the eve of Ram Navmi, was passing through Mulbagal’s Jahangir Mohalla. Some miscreants started pelting stones at the procession and the participants retaliated, triggering clashes, said an official. In the commotion that followed, two cars were set on fire while a shop was vandalised, and the police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse the mob, the official added.
Superintendent of police (Kolar), D Devaraj, said three cases have been registered against unknown persons in connection with the incident. “The Shobha yatra was supposed to end around 5.30 pm, but since a Swamiji was delayed and some other issues, the yatra went late into the evening. Around 6.50 pm, as the Yatra was in the progress, there was a power cut. Some miscreants pelted stones at the participants and they retaliated... As the situation was getting out of control, police resorted to lathi-charge and the crowd was dispersed. But while going, the mob set two cars on fire,” he said.
“We have taken nine people into custody. We have seized around 30 motorcycles... The CCTV footage from the location is available. Our officers are going through it...” he added.
The officer said police personnel were deployed in the area for Friday’s procession.
Responding to the incident, Karnataka home minister Araga Jnanendra said, “Some vehicles were damaged and one bike was torched. The investigation is underway.”