Bengaluru riot | SabrangIndia News Related to Human Rights Mon, 17 Aug 2020 09:57:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://sabrangindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Favicon_0.png Bengaluru riot | SabrangIndia 32 32 Karnataka CM invokes UAPA against Bengaluru rioters https://sabrangindia.in/karnataka-cm-invokes-uapa-against-bengaluru-rioters/ Mon, 17 Aug 2020 09:57:34 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2020/08/17/karnataka-cm-invokes-uapa-against-bengaluru-rioters/ State Govt may ban PFI, SDPI; Cabinet meeting on August 20, around 52 FIRs filed, 264 arrested, prohibitory orders extended till Aug 18

The post Karnataka CM invokes UAPA against Bengaluru rioters appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> bengaluru riots

The Chief Minister of Karnataka B.S. Yediyurappa has said, “Stringent action has been initiated against the culprits of DJ Halli and KG Halli violent incidents including invoking of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act – UAPA Act.” The CM posted this on Twitter after he reviewed the case developments on August 17, following the violent riots and arson that took place in parts of East Bengaluru on August 11.

 

 

He added that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has also been formed to conduct a “detailed investigation in the matter and a team of three special prosecutors will be appointed for speedy trial of the cases. SIT will consider invoking Goonda Act if warranted.”

Almost a week after violent riots and arson took places in parts of East Bengaluru, including a mob attack on a police station, after a ‘derogatory’ social media comment triggered alleged communal violence in the jurisdiction of Devarajeevanahalli (DJ Halli) and Kadugodanahalli (KG Halli) police stations, First Information Reports (FIRs) continue to be registered. According to a report in The Indian Express, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Sharanappa S D said that “at least 52 FIRs” had been filed till Sunday afternoon and “A total of 264 accused have been arrested in connection to the violence and rioting that took place on August 11 night,” adding that more complaints were being taken up simultaneously.

It is also being reported that the Karnataka government may consider imposing a ban on the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and its political affiliate Popular Front of India (PFI) for their alleged role in Bengaluru riots early this week. This issue, state news reports is likely to come up for discussion at the state Cabinet meeting scheduled to be held on August 20.

The communal riots broke out after an allegedly communal and derogatory social media post about Prophet Mohammed’s family was uploaded on Facebook, by Naveen. The accused, who has been arrested, is said to be the nephew of Congress MLA Srinivas Murthy. The riots included massive arson, and violence in the area. The mobs also vandalised the MLA’s house, and the police station nearby. It was reported that around 60 police personnel were injured and three people were killed on the day. Now, the death toll linked to the violence is at four as an accused aged 24 succumbed on Saturday following a surgery at a government hospital, reported the Indian express.

The IE reported that the deceased, identified as Sayyad Nadeem, tested positive for Coronavirus and did not respond to post-operative treatment. It quotes Additional Commissioner of Police (Administration) Hemant Nimbalkar, “He was brought to Bowring Hospital for treatment (on Friday) after he complained of chest pain, stomach pain, and breathlessness. He was operated upon with a history of blunt injury (not bullet injury)…”

Meanwhile, the government of Karnataka may be considering imposing a ban on the regional outfit Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and its political affiliate Popular Front of India (PFI), reported News 18. The news report states that the two outfits may be banned  for their alleged role in the riots.  “The state government will take a decision on banning SDPI and PFI in the cabinet meeting on August 20,” state Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister K.S. Eshwarappa spoke to the media at Shivamogga.

After the August 11 riots, some members of the  SDPI had been arrested by police for their alleged role in the mob violence in the city’s northeast suburb, for allegedly instigating the mobs. Three persons were killed when the police fired to control the volatile situation.  

According to ministers Eshwarappa, the state government is “under pressure from many groups and organisations to ban the fringe groups, as they have been allegedly involved in causing unrest and disharmony in society.”  The proposed ban has also been hinted at by State Revenue Minister R. Ashoka, reported the local media. “Preliminary investigation and interrogation of the arrested SDPI and PFI members revealed their alleged involvement in the riots on August 11. Its activists were also held in the past for allegedly causing disharmony in society,” he is quoted in news reports. The states  Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan also echoed the ban of  the two outfits.

According to the Indian Express, the accused have been charged under various sections  of the Indian Penal Code, including 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 307 (attempt to murder), 332 & 333 (voluntarily causing hurt/grievous hurt to deter public servant from duty), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty), 427 (mischief causing damage to amount of Rs 50 or above), and 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house, etc.).

Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel have also carried out a flag march in the violence-hit area. Meanwhile, the IE also reported that residents of the areas have alleged that the police teams have barged into their houses to “randomly pick up” youngsters. “My brother and others have been arrested on the basis of nothing. Even as we repeatedly requested the cops — who stormed into our apartment at around 1.40 A.M on Thursday — not to take them as they stayed indoors with us when the incident took place, almost everyone who were of 18 years of age or above were forcefully taken into custody without even an arrest warrant,” a female resident alleged. She added that there has been “no news of those” who were picked up, till Sunday.

It may be recalled that similar allegations of ‘random arrests’, have also been made in the aftermath of the communal riots that took place in North east Delhi in February 2020. The two incidents are, however, not connected.  

In Bengaluru, the DCP Sharanappa told IE, “Each arrest has been made based on solid evidence collected from CCTV footage and others. Several teams formed by the cops are looking into it and each arrest is being reviewed. Some detainees have been sent back after thorough questioning as well. All officers have been directed to ensure no juvenile (below the age of 18 years) is detained at any cost,” adding that “Several accused were released as per provisions of section 169 (release of accused when evidence is deficient) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).”

The Bengaluru City Police (BCP) Commissioner Kamal Pant issued an order extending restrictions imposed in areas under the limits of DJ Halli, KG Halli stations till 6 am on August 18. “A considerable number of detainees are sent to Bellary Central Jail on judicial custody for 15 days. Others are detained in Parappana Agrahara with tight security,” an investigating officer from the Central Crime Branch, BCP clarified to the IE. The official added that most of the accused have been identified as members of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political arm of the Popular Front of India (PFI).

Bommai claimed that the Social Democratic Party of India’s role and the internal conflict in the state Congress were the reason behind the clashes. “Investigations into the riots so far revealed that political differences in the Congress, its differences with the SDPI and the latter’s larger conspiracy to disrupt law and order had a role in the city’s mob violence,” Bommai alleged.

According to news reports, SDPI’s Karnataka chief Elyas Muhammad Thumbe has refuted the allegations against the group and said it was being dragged into the incident “just to cover up police inaction against blasphemy and failure of the state’s intelligence unit”. 

 

Related: 

Bengaluru riot: 3 dead, journalists beaten up by cops, vehicles gutted

 

The post Karnataka CM invokes UAPA against Bengaluru rioters appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> Bengaluru riot: 3 dead, journalists beaten up by cops, vehicles gutted https://sabrangindia.in/bengaluru-riot-3-dead-journalists-beaten-cops-vehicles-gutted/ Wed, 12 Aug 2020 12:42:11 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2020/08/12/bengaluru-riot-3-dead-journalists-beaten-cops-vehicles-gutted/ Naveen, nephew of Congress MLA Srinivas Murthy, allegedly posted communal remarks on Facebook, setting of a night of violence, arson, deaths

The post Bengaluru riot: 3 dead, journalists beaten up by cops, vehicles gutted appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> communal violence

A communally derogatory social media post allegedly by a man identified as Naveen, ignited a massive communal riot on Tuesday in Bengaluru, the city that brands itself as the IT capital of the nation. Naveen is said to be the nephew of Congress MLA Srinivas Murthy, and allegedly made a provocative post about Prophet Mohammed’s family on Facebook. He has been arrested, but the riots he caused have resulted in the death of three people. The MLA’s house was also surrounded and vandalised by the mob. 

The riots broke out in DG Halli and KG Halli areas in the eastern part of Bengaluru. According to news reports, the mob also vandalised a police station and the residence of a Congress MLA. Around 60 police personnel have been left injured after being attacked by the mob, reported NDTV. The police have rounded-up145 people for violence, stone-throwing and assault on police personnel, stated a report in India Today.

According to the report the protesters set around two dozen cars on fire and though initially the police lathi-charged and tear gassed the crowd, they soon opened fire. The city police chief told Reuters that this was done because the police “risked being overpowered by the violent crowd.”

The Police Commissioner went to the spot and the security arrangements are still in place, say reports, which add that 60 police personnel have also been injured. India Today quoted Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant confirming the arrest, “Accused Naveen has been arrested for sharing derogatory posts on social media.” 

The riot started when the mob, allegedly incited by the derogatory post, gathered near the residence of the Congress MLA on Tuesday night and vandalised the house, and set ablaze, the vehicles that were parked outside. The mob then went on to vandalise the police station nearby, perhaps because they thought the accused was being given shelter by the cops. According to news reports the mob set fire to 10-15 cars, including police vehicles, damaged a portion of the MLA’s residence, and then allegedly entered a basement area where 200-250 vehicles were set on fire.

According to Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, “The mischief in the DG village police station has led to the assault and rioting of MLA Akhand Srinivasa’s home and police station. Already directed to prosecute the perpetrators against the perpetrators. . .”

 

 

While the police are said to have fired in the air, two people are reported to have been killed. According to news reports the riot raged for hours, before it was finally brought under control around 2 A.M on Tuesday. Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai has been quoted as saying that he has, “given police a free hand to contain the violence.” Bengaluru is now under Section 144 of CrPC, and  a curfew has been imposed in DJ Halli and KG Halli. 

 

 

Meanwhile, a group of Muslim youth got together and forme a human barrier to protect a temple in Bengaluru, during the violence.

 

 

Among those reportedly detained is Muzamil Pasha, a Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) leader. He was allegedly picked up by police in connection with the DJ Halli police station violence in Bengaluru as per his party colleague Mujahid Pasha.

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has been quoted by news reports saying, “Directives have been issued against perpetrators and the government has taken all possible steps to curb the situation. Attack on journalists, police and public is unacceptable. The government won’t tolerate such provocations and rumours. Strict action against perpetrators is certain.”

Meanwhile, Congress MLA Murthy appealed for peace and released a video message. He said an entire community should not resort to violence over the fault committed by some miscreants, “There is no need to fight. We all are brothers. We will get the person punished as per law. We will also be with you.” Former minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan said the violence was unfortunate. “I am hopeful that police will take action against all those who are responsible for this. I also request everyone to stay calm and maintain peace in the area,” Khan tweeted.

 

 

Congress leader K C Venugopal has asked for strict action against both the man behind the derogatory post as well as those who rioted.

 

 

Karnataka Congress also appealed for peace and its chief DK Shivakumar has said, “The Government must take strict and exemplary action against the person who made the derogatory social media post as well as those who indulged in rioting and arson. At this point, it is important to maintain peace.”

 

 

However, another worrying aspect came to light in the riot. After the vicious attack on The Caravan’s journalists in the communally volatile  area of Northeast Delhi, on the same day journalists covering the communal riot in Bengaluru were attacked.

A group of reporters who came to see the ground situation were attacked, that too by police. India Today reporter, Nolan Pinto who was hit, and badly injured, shared that they kept saying they were journalists on assignment when they were hit by the police. “We came as reporters to see what’s the ground situation but @CPBlr your police began to attack us without any provocation. No mob was present then!!” He has shown his injuries and said “police hit my head with a pole even though we kept yelling we are reporters.” 

 

 

Another journalist, Prajwal, a reporter with The News Minute was hit on his back. “We had to run from your police to save ourselves when there was no mob present,” added Nolan. The journalists continued to do their jobs bravely, Prajwal posted more images from DJ Halli Police Station  and its surrounding areas on Wednesday morning.

 

 

While the Central government, especially the Information and Broadcasting Ministry continues to be silent on these attacks on the media who were just doing their jobs, journalists are back on the field.  Arun Dev, Karnataka Bureau Chief of The Quint posted images of  the aftermath  at the DJ Halli police station.

 

 

 

Related: 

Caravan journalists attacked viciously by murderous mob in North East Delhi

Karnataka’s Brahmins can get caste and income certificates, avail 10 percent EWS 

Gauri Lankesh’s Kannada news website banned by Facebook?

 

The post Bengaluru riot: 3 dead, journalists beaten up by cops, vehicles gutted appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>