A la DJ halli violence in Hubballi, 40 persons held

Hubballi, April 17 : A la DJ Halli violence erupted in parts of Old Hubballi after hundreds of Muslims protested against a derogatory post by an accused Abhishek Hiremath went viral. The post went viral on Saturday night. The accused had posted a picture of a saffron flag atop a mosque and had posted the same as his status. After taking cognisance of the post, the agitators brought it to the notice of the police after which the accused was arrested. As the agitating group did not budge from the police station, the police resorted to action. The situation was soon brought under control. Prohibitory orders were imposed in Old Hubballi area. Meanwhile speaking to reporters at Hospet, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra compared the violence to DJ Halli arson in Bengaluru. Violence had broken out in DJ Halli and surrounding areas in August 2020 after a Facebook post by a relative of Congress legislator Akhanda Srinivas Murthy reportedly insulted Prophet Mohammed. Following the incident, a large Muslim mob gathered outside KG Halli police station and raised slogans, pelted stones and torched vehicles. Another Muslim mob at DJ Halli set ablaze police vehicle. Jnanendra said as many as six to seven policemen have been injured in the violence. Condition of an inspector is serious and he is being treated in a hospital, Jnanendra said. Police resorted to tear gas shelling, firing in the air and caning to disperse the protestors. The police have arrested the accused from his residence, he said. Besides imposing prohibitory orders in Hubballi city, an adequate number of KSRP platoons and police personnel have been deployed at strategic points, Jnanendra said. Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Labhu Ram in Hubballi said as many as 40 persons have been arrested so far who indulged in late night violence. As many as six cases have been registered with regard to damage to public property and stone pelting, he added. To a query he said further investigation was on and steps were being taken to identify and trace all those involved. BDN SY 1312