Hubballi riots – Despite arrest of accused, stone-pelting unpardonable crime: Bommai

Hospete, April 17 : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said even after arresting the accused for posting a derogatory post on social media, the stone pelting incidents in Hubballi at a police station is an unfailing crime. “In Hubballi yesterday some people tried to take law into their own hands. Despite police arresting the accused who posted a deragatory post on Whatsapp, they (Muslim goons) came in front of the police station. They produced an uproar and injured police in an attack. After that, in several parts of Hubballi, they indulged in stone-pelting, which is an unfailing crime, ” he told reporters here. A WhatsApp post had sparked communal tensions in Hubballi on Saturday evening, forcing police to impose prohibitory orders. A huge mob had gathered in front of Old Hubballi police station demanding action, following which stones were pelted at the police station. Bommai said whoever takes law into their hand, strict action will be taken against them. “I only want to tell you this. Such (radical) organisations should not make an adventure into taking law into their own hands. Karnataka state will not tolerate it,” he said. Bommai also appealed that this incident should not be politicised and it should be looked at as good law and order issue. 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. Former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa sought a comprehensive investigation into the provocative social media post and the stone-pelting incident. BDN SY 1529