Three people were killed in police firing in Bengaluru and 60 police personnel injured as violence broke out in the eastern part of the city on Tuesday night over a Facebook message posted allegedly by a relative of a Congress MLA. 110 people have been arrested for violence, stone-throwing and assault on police personnel.
Protesters set many vehicles on fire and surrounded MLA Srinivas Murthy’s house in the city. Mr Murthy nephew Naveen, who allegedly posted the message on Facebook, has been arrested.
Members of the minority community pelted stones at the residence of Congress MLA Akhanda Shrinivasa Murthy, DJ Halli and KG Halli police stations.
The police used lathi-charge, tear gas and firing to disperse the violent crowd.
“DG Halli and KG Halli saw violent incidents. To bring this under control, police used lathi charge, tear gas and firing. Police Commissioner went to the spot. Police bandobast is in place. Strict action will be taken against those offenders,” the Bengaluru police posted on Twitter.
While 24 four-wheelers were set on fire, 200 bikes that were burnt have been kept at a police station. A police station was damaged in the violence.
Bengaluru police commissioner Kamal Pant said the situation has been brought under control. While a curfew has been imposed in the violence-hit areas of DG Halli and KG Halli till tomorrow morning, large gatherings have been banned in the rest of Bengaluru city.
