Bangalore on 11 august that is Tuesday was hit with a tragedy , while tracking back on the timeline. The core of the incident is in a small meeting of local minority community members in Kavalbyrasandra area. The agenda was to discuss a derogate Facebook post by a relative of local MLA Akhanda Srinivasamurthy and the members decided to take up the matter with the lawmakers. A derogatory facebook post made by Naveen, the Congress legislator’s nephew considered offensive to Islam and its beliefs.
The community leaders, including some local SDPI activists, decided to press for action against him. Chaos was created when a misunderstanding took place between police officials and community leaders over filing of an FIR. Local groups condemned Police for denying filing a compliant.
“We did not reject a complaint against Naveen. We only told the group to wait for senior officers to arrive as it was a cyber crime and a sensitive issue. But they wanted Naveen to be arrested immediately. We explained that wasn’t possible without proper evidence.” personnel at KG Halli police station said.
The post led to violent clashes at Congress’ Pulkeshi Nagar MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy’s residence and later in and around the premises of DJ Halli and KG Halli police stations after a mob started pelting stones and torching vehicles. At least three people and over 50 police personnel were injured.
The state government has ordered a magisterial enquiry into the violent clashes. Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa directed the police to take strict action against those involved in the incident Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa after a high-level meeting held on Wednesday saidthat the investigation will be held as per the National Human Rights Commission guidelines and damage to property will be recovered from the perpetrators identified by the police. Bengaluru City Police identified at least 145 people linked to the arson, stone-pelting, and violent clashes against the police. The police have also imposed a strict curfew and restrictions under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure .
Meanwhile, a senior police official said, “The accused has stated that his account was hacked and he was unaware of uploading the derogatory post. We have retrieved the post which was deleted and a detailed investigation is underway. Possibilities of conspiracy cannot be denied at the moment.”
Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the police had to resort to firing as a last step to bring the violence under control. “The situation is under control now. Six more CRPF platoons have been called in from Hyderabad and Chennai to enhance security in Bengaluru.
The Janata Dal (Secular) party alleged a “pre-planned conspiracy” demanding immediate action against the perpetrators. The rapid escalation that appeared after the post , has also created suspicion of a planned attack involving local political interests.
Murthy, who belongs to the SC community, is a two-term MLA from the Pulkeshinagar said “over 3,000 people armed with sharp weapons, sticks, rods and petrol bombs”, and “all the valuables” inside had been looted. The MLA claimed that he has had no ties with his nephew in the past 10 years.
Local leaders, communities and government officials have reconciled over peace and systematic working of the issue and deterring people from opting for violent means. The truth of these Bangalore riots is yet to be unfolded but certainly there are various intentions and factors at play.
