Mandya News: Communal tensions gripped the Nagamangala town in Karnataka's Mandya district on Wednesday after two groups clashed during a Ganpati procession. Stones were allegedly thrown at the procession, which led to the clashes, following which shops and businesses were set afire by a group.
To bring the law and order situation under control, the police have imposed restrictive orders, including Section 144 in the area, according to a report by news agency PTI.
As per media reports, while some people from Badarikoppalu village were talking about a procession for the Ganpati idol immersion, stones were allegedly thrown at them from a nearby mosque on the main road in Nagamangala. This led to clashes between the two groups, following which a group vandalised shops and set fire to two vehicles to express their outrage, further escalating tensions.
Several members of the Hindu community also placed the Ganesha idol in front of the police station and protested demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible for the incident.
Some videos of the incidents also showed a group of people throwing stones at the other group. Police attempted to bring the situation under control and declared a high alert in the area.
Section 163 of Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (order issued in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) has been imposed in the area to bring the situation under control.
"Prohibitory orders were imposed in Mandya district's Nagamangala after a group of miscreants set shops on fire, and two police staff were injured. I have no information related to the machete or other weapons used in the clash. Investigation is underway. We are verifying the reasons for the instigation, our officers are on duty. We have detained a few people and a search is going on. Restriction orders will continue." said MB Boralingaiah, South Division IGP.
As per a report by Times of India, the Ganesha idols have been temporarily placed near a temple as devotees demand the arrest of those who disturbed the procession.