Karnataka Nagamangala Communal violence: Tension prevailed in Nagamangala town of Mandya district of Karnataka on Wednesday (September 11, 2024) after clashes broke out between two groups during a Ganpati procession. The incident reportedly took place when devotees of Badarikoppalu were carrying Ganesh idols for immersion. According to media reports, when the procession was passing through the main road, stones were allegedly thrown at it from near the mosque.
shops set on fire
Speaking to news agency ANI, Mandya Deputy Commissioner Dr. Kumar said that the incident took place in the evening during the Lord Ganesha procession. When the procession reached near a mosque, some miscreants pelted stones. This has come to our notice. Later there was also a protest. IG, SP and I have visited the spot. We are taking all measures to control the situation. “The Deputy Commissioner said, “2-3 shops were set on fire. As a precaution, Section 144 of CrPC will remain in force till September 14. We are investigating it. There is a power outage due to the fire. I have spoken to Gescom (Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company Limited).”
Karnataka | Mandya Deputy Commissioner Dr. Kumar says, “Incident took place in the evening during the Ganesha procession. When the procession reached near a mosque, a few miscreants pelted stones. This has come to our notice. Later there was also a protest. IG, SP and I have…
— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2024
In the video shared on social media, both of them are seen throwing stones at each other. Senior police and revenue department officials reached the spot to calm the situation. Following this, the police declared a high alert in the area and Section 163 (order issued in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehension of danger) of the Indian Civil Security Code was invoked to bring the situation under control.
Union minister accuses Congress
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy condemned the violence in Nagamangala town and blamed the ruling Congress government for it. He alleged that the incident was caused by the “appeasement of one community” by the Congress. “I strongly condemn the incident that took place during the Ganesh immersion procession in Nagamangala in Mandya district. It is a failure of peace and order in the town that miscreants from one community deliberately resorted to violence targeting devotees who were walking peacefully during the procession of Lord Ganapati, stones and slippers were hurled, petrol bombs were exploded and swords were brandished at the public and policemen,” the Union Minister wrote on Twitter.
Several Hindu youths placed an idol of Lord Ganesha in front of the police station and staged a protest demanding justice. Tensions escalated further as a group torched some shops and set tyres on fire to express their anger, reports Deccan Herald.
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