Facebook post laced with communal remarks sparks violence in Bengaluru killing 3 and 200 cars burnt

Facebook post laced with communal remarks sparked violent clashes in Bengaluru on Tuesday night in which a mob vandalised a police station and the residence of a Congress MLA. Three people have been killed while 60 police personnel have been left injured after being attacked by the mob.

After night-long tension following the arson and vandalism in the DJ Halli area of Bengaluru, police said Naveen, whose social media post sparked the vandalism, has been arrested.

Top developments on Bengaluru clashes:

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.

The mob gathered near the residence of the Congress MLA on Tuesday night and vandalised the house along with vehicles that were parked outside. The mob then went on to vandalise the nearby police station believing the cops are hiding the accused man who shared the post inside the station. A total of three people have been killed in the violence.

Muzamil Pasha, an SDPI leader has been arrested by police in connection with the DJ Halli police station violence in Bengaluru. This has been announced by Mujahid Pasha, the convenor of SDPI (Social Democratic Party of India).

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 public is unacceptable. The government won’t tolerate such provocations and rumours. Strict action against perpetrators is certain.”

BJP MLA Sunil Kumar has demanded that properties of the vandals who damaged public property be confiscated for the losses they have caused.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant said, “Around 60 police personnel including an Additional Commissioner of Police injured in clashes that broke out over an alleged inciting social media post in DJ Halli and KG Halli police station areas.”

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.

As police struggled to contain the vandalism and arson, Karnataka government gave permission to open fire around midnight as the mob turned too violent. Police opened fire in the air.

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 DJ 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.

message. He said an entire community should not resort to violence over the fault committed by some miscreants. “There is no need to fight. We all are brothers. We will get the person punished as per law. We will also be with you,” the MLA said in a video message.

Former minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan said the violence was unfortunate. “I am hopeful that police will take action against all those who are responsible for this. I also request everyone to stay calm and maintain peace in the area,” Khan tweeted.

Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar has said, “I have called a meeting of our legislators at noon today. I have spoken to our CLP leader Siddaramaiah, we will give full support to government to maintain peace and harmony. I strongly condemn the incident and our party also condemns whatever happened last night. It happened due to a person’s post on social media. At this point, it is important to maintain peace.”