A violent mob attacked Pulakeshinagar Congress MLA R Akhanda Srinivas Murthy’s house after a Facebook post by relative allegedly insulted Prophet Muhammad PBUH. Curfew has been imposed in Banaswadi Police Sub-Division, in Bengaluru. Three people have been reported dead while three were injured in the police gunfire.
Many policemen have also suffered injuries in the attack including some of the senior officers. More than 7-8 vehicles have been set on fire. The mob comprising over 100 people also torched about 15 vehicles, besides pelting stones at the MLA’s house and other adjoining houses in Kaval Byrasandra in North-East Bengaluru.
Take a look at videos of the incident
Situation in front of @Kghallips in #Bengaluru. Hundreds of people gather demanding justice. Police fire teargas shells to disperse the crowd. @DeccanHerald @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/Y5q6oVJnvC
— Niranjan Kaggere (@nkaggere) August 11, 2020
The mob armed with sticks, iron rods, sharp metal objects, and other weapons barged into the house of the MLA and pelted stones. Protestors even attacked locals who were capturing the violent incident on their phone cameras. Reports also state that the mob arranged vehicles in front of the DJ Halli police station and set them on fire.
The protesters even attacked the vehicle of North-East Division Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Bheemashankar Guled when he came to take control of the situation. According to reports by the Deccan Herald, the mob went violent after an alleged derogatory Facebook post by the MLA’s brother in law went viral on the internet.
However, the Bengaluru police are yet to verify the source. The mob took control of the area and sealed five to six crosses barring access to police personnel and fire and emergency service personnel.
Situation at the recently built @djhallips #Bengaluru. Mob set fire to furniture, vehicles & vandalise the station. #Karnataka #violence #Firing #police #arson @DeccanHerald pic.twitter.com/vbr63tA4O4
— Niranjan Kaggere (@nkaggere) August 11, 2020
The incident took a nasty turn when over 600 people stormed the KG Halli police station demanding justice. Beginning at around 9.pm the situation turned violent in less than an hour. In an attempt to disperse the crowd the police fired shots in the air, later 3 people were found dead. The police are yet to confirm if they died in the fire, protest, or due to stampede at the location.
In the meantime, MLA Akhanda Srinivasamurthy released a video where he said, “I appeal to all my Muslim brethren to maintain peace and not to get carried away by the rumors and miscreants’ words. Be it a Hindu or Muslim, we all are equal. Whoever it may be trying to disrupt the harmony, they will be dealt with seriously and will be punished by the police as per the law. But let us not resort to this violence and I request all of you to keep calm.”
Home Minister Basawaraj Bommai also released a statement that said: “The government will take action against those who are responsible behind the attack. Resorting to violence, torching of vehicles is against the law and not a solution to any problem. Any issue can be legally pursued and taken to a logical end. I have already directed the police commissioner to visit the spot and take control of the situation.”
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