Mandya (Karnataka), Sep 8 (PTI) The Karnataka Home Minister, G Parameshwara, has confirmed that the situation in Maddur town is now under control following communal clashes during a Ganesha immersion procession on September 7. Prohibitory orders have been enforced and additional police forces deployed after tensions escalated in the town.
The disturbances began on Sunday when stones were thrown at the Ganesha procession in Ram Rahim Nagar, police reported.
Stone-pelting, which originated about 500 meters from a mosque, provoked retaliation from the procession participants.
To manage the situation, police had to perform a mild lathi charge to separate the two conflicting groups. Meanwhile, Hindu activists mobilized protests, including burning tyres, waving saffron flags, and chanting 'Jai Sri Ram'.
Mandya's Superintendent of Police, Mallikarjun Baladandi, stated that two FIRs had been registered, one initiated by the police and another based on a complaint by an injured individual.
He indicated that 21 individuals have been detained, with more arrests anticipated.
“Everyone has been discharged. One person required four stitches, but the rest suffered only minor injuries. Section 144 is now in force in the area to prevent further confrontations,” the Superintendent added.
Adding to the unrest, tensions also emerged in Hubballi after stones were purportedly thrown during a separate Ganesha procession on Saturday night. The police acted promptly to ensure the situation did not worsen, increasing their presence in vulnerable areas of the city.
KSRP contingents have been deployed across Maddur, alongside senior officers stationed there to maintain order, while police forces across districts remain vigilant following incidents reported from Maddur, Hubballi, and Shivamogga.
Parameshwara, speaking to the media in Bengaluru, confirmed that all suspects involved in the Maddur incident have been apprehended.
“Regarding Maddur, all the accused have been arrested. The Ganesha immersion subsequently took place without issues. A few minor incidents were reported, including an attempted stabbing related to a flag and individuals spitting on young children during the Ganapati procession. However, the situation is now under control,” he said.
He appealed to both communities for cooperation to maintain peace, assuring that police had implemented sufficient security measures.
“Thousands of Ganapati idols were immersed statewide. No similar disturbances occurred elsewhere. We will take legal action in response to the Maddur incident,” he reassured.
Responding to BJP's claims that the violence sprung from appeasement politics, Parameshwara criticized these assertions, emphasizing the police's comprehensive measures in deploying forces and senior officers to sensitive zones and imposing prohibitory orders to prevent escalation.
BJP state president B Y Vijayendra reacted strongly, alleging that law and order have faltered under Congress governance. He claimed Hindu festivals and processions face mounting threats.
“During the Ganesh immersion processions, inciting gangs are conducting stone-pelting incidents reported in Mandya, Dharwad, Bagalkote, and Hubballi. In Maddur, this caused severe unrest, injuring women and police. The BJP condemns these acts,” Vijayendra criticized.
He further accused the Congress government of having a biased and lenient approach, encouraging miscreants.
Reports from Sagar in Shivamogga district suggest the Ganapati idol was desecrated, which Vijayendra claimed has generated fear among the Hindu community, particularly women.
"It is as if the state is undergoing a 'Mughal-inspired' administration. Should the government fail to act firmly against fanatical offenders, the public may respond decisively against the Congress rule," Vijayendra warned.
(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)