Around 50 miscreants have been held by the police in Karnataka’s Shivamogga and cases booked against them in connection with the stone pelting incident, said Karnataka education minister Madhu Bangarappa on Monday. Tensions erupted in Ragi Gudda area in Shivamogga on Sunday evening during the Eid Milad procession with incidents of stone pelting reported. The police said the situation in the area is now peaceful and under control, as per a PTI report. Karnataka Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa alleged that the stones were pelted on purpose.
Meanwhile, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party targeted the Congress government of Karnataka alleging that it has failed in maintaining law and order in the state.
Pointing out the "sensitive nature" of Shivamogga, BJP leaders questioned why no precautionary measures were taken asking why such an incident took place during Eid Milad procession, whereas the recent Ganesh visarjan and processions went on peacefully.
- Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said cases have been registered in connection with the case against the accused, adding that the situation is currently peaceful and under control. Creating disturbance and indulging in stone pelting during religious events of a community is against law, and his government won't tolerate such incidents and will suppress them, he said while speaking to reporters in Bengaluru.
- Karnataka Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa said that the miscreants barged into the residences of some people. 12 people have sustained injuries and three of them are still in the hospital, he added.
- Targeting the Karnataka’s Congress government, former CM and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai said, "The government has failed in maintaining law and order. Shivamogga is a sensitive city and there have been several instances (of tensions) in the past. Adequate measures seems to have not been taken for such a religious event,"
- Shivamogga BJP MLA S N Channabasappa visited the houses in Ragi Gudda area which were damaged due to the stone pelting last evening and alleged that some outsiders, with the support of some insiders, were behind the incident.
- Karnataka BJP President Nalin Kumar Kateel alleged that religious fanatic forces were behind the stone-pelting. In the name of Eid Milad procession, houses and properties of Hindus have been attacked and looted, he alleged.