Shivamogga Violence: 40 Arrested, K'taka CM Siddaramaiah Says Govt Won't Tolerate Such Activities

Siddaramaiah reacted to the stone pelting incident in Shivamogga district and said that the government will not tolerate such activities.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday reacted to the stone pelting incident that reportedly occurred in state's Shivamogga district and said that the government will not tolerate such activities. He further said that 40 people were arrested pertaining to the incident and the situation is under control now.   

"An Eid Milad procession was underway when some miscreants pelted stones. They also threw stones at the police. So far 40 people have been arrested. Our government will not tolerate such activities. The situation is under control now," Siddaramaiah said, as quoted by ANI. 

Tensions In Shivamogga

The Shivamogga district administration clamped prohibitory orders in the Ragi Gudda area after a procession was reportedly pelted with stones on Sunday evening, injuring at least five people, police said, reported news agency PTI. As per the agency's report, an angry crowd reportedly pelted stones at a few houses and vehicles. This incident allegedly occurred in response to rumors suggesting that there was a stone pelting on the Eid Milad procession today.

A police official said they have dispersed the crowd, and the situation is currently under control, reported PTI. Section 144 was imposed in the area to prevent any untoward incident, police said. Speaking to ANI, Shivamogga Superintendent of Police G.K. Mithun Kumar said, "There was a stone pelting incident in Ragigudda this evening. However, we managed to disperse the crowd and the situation is under control now."

"Around 4-5 people sustained minor injuries. Section 144 is in force in Ragigudda to prevent any untoward incident," the SP added.

The police resorted to lathi-charges to disperse the mob, police said, adding, additional forces, including the Rapid Action Force, have been dispatched to the spot. They said some people have also been taken into custody.

Earlier in the day, there were protests in the same area over a cutout that was put out as part of the procession, as the police had covered a portion of it due to a "bit controversial (content)", which upset people of a community, a police official said. SP G.K. Mithun Kumar and other police officers reached the spot and held talks with the people to bring the situation under control.  Police urged locals to refrain from spreading rumours on social media platforms.