At least three people died after police opened fire at angry mobs who attacked a Congress MLA’s residence in Bengaluru after a communal social media post insulting Prophet Muhammad, shared allegedly by the leader’s relative, sparked outrage. Police also took to lathi-charge and tear gas to disperse the violent crowd.
Shoot at sight #Bengaluru is burning Horrible videos and images pic.twitter.com/zvNEN26qEz
— Dr Abhishek (@DrAbhiTweets) August 11, 2020
Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant said that three people died in the police firing and an injured person has been taken to a hospital. Around 60 police personnel including an Additional Commissioner of Police also sustained injuries in the violent clashes, he said.
Karnataka: Visuals from Bengaluru’s DJ Halli Police Station area where violence broke out over an alleged inciting social media post.Two people died & around 60 police personnel sustained injuries in the violence in Bengaluru, according to Police Commissioner Kamal Pant. pic.twitter.com/QsAALZycs0
— ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2020
Section 144 has been imposed in Bengaluru and curfew has been imposed in DJ Halli and KG Halli police station limits of the city, the commissioner added.
The accused, identified as Naveen, has been arrested for sharing the offensive posts on social media.
People in large numbers pelted stones at Pulakeshinagar MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy’s house in east Bengaluru’s Kaval Byrsandra area. They also torched vehicles parked there, demanding immediate action against P Naveen who allegedly wrote the derogatory post insulting Prophet Muhammad.
@CPBlr says the mob gheraoed the police station and set vehicles on fire. Senior police officers rushed to the area. Situation very tense. pic.twitter.com/Wtev7vp18Z
— Nolan Pinto (@nolanentreeo) August 11, 2020
Scenes outside DJ Halli Police Station. pic.twitter.com/k33M9ZQoJv
— Bangalore Mirror (@BangaloreMirror) August 11, 2020
Stones were also pelted on police personnel who were tasked with guarding the MLA’s residence. The protesters allegedly did not let fire engines enter the street and douse the fire.
As per reports, the unrest intensified after a group of people went to the KG Halli police station to file a complaint against Naveen, however, they were told by local police to sort out the matter out on their own.
At least 110 people have been arrested in connection with the violence and more arrests are being made, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Bengaluru Sandeep Patil said.
Soon after the incident, Congress MLA Srinivas Murthy also released appealing for peace.
Congress MLA R Akhanda Srinivas Murthy appeals for peace after an Angry mob surrounded his house in Kaval Byrasandra. #Bengaluru #Riots pic.twitter.com/Ym6qhFmWRI
— Krishna (@Krishna70935) August 11, 2020
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