Bengaluru:
As many as 27 people have been arrested in Belagavi, Karnataka for their alleged involvement in vandalising a statue of local freedom fighter Sangolli Rayanna.
Commissioner of Police Belagavi City, Dr K Thiyagarajan, said, “27 people arrested in three Police station limits in Belagavi after a group of people vandalised Sangolli Rayanna statue. The miscreants smashed around 26 vehicles of the Karnataka government and police in Belagavi.”
Karnataka police are suspecting Maharashtra Ekikarana Samithi (MES) party leaders’ involvement in creating disturbance during the winter session of the state legislative assembly which is currently underway in the border after two years. The entire government machinery has been shifted from Bengaluru to Belagavi.
As per reports police are suspecting the role of the violent mob who were involved in the flash protest on Friday midnight. The group was protesting against the desecration of a statue of Shivaji in Shivajinagar locality in Bengaluru.
In Belagavi, authorities have clamped prohibitory order till Sunday 6 pm.
The police said that the statue of Sangolli Rayanna installed at Kanakadasa colony has been severely vandalised and its sword and shield were broken and thrown away.
Locals hear the noise and rushed to the spot but by that time, the miscreants had fled from the spot.
The recent incident of vandalism is expected to further intensify tension in Belagavi. Reacting to the situation, state Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said: “We will instill fear among the miscreants. You will see proper action by the police this time. There is no question of sparing anyone, there is going to be action against them. It is the handiwork of a few miscreants. We will tame them.”
During the protest on Friday midnight, the demonstrators pelted stone at police personnel and government vehicles. Police resorted to lathi charge to control the violent mob.
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