Tensions In Karnataka's Shivamogga After Rumours Of Stone Pelting During Eid Procession

The incident allegedly occurred in response to rumors suggesting that there was a stone pelting on the Eid Milad procession today.

A procession was reportedly pelted with stones in Shivamogga's Ragi Gudda area on Sunday evening.

Source : X/PTI

New Delhi: The Shivamogga district administration has 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.

VIDEO | Tensions in Karnataka's Shivamogga after incident of stone pelting; police forces deployed in several localities. More details are awaited. pic.twitter.com/KKBokZUL0A

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 1, 2023

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.