“Things are peaceful now,” he said.

The violence flared when angry Muslims came out on the streets and started protesting outside the politician’s house and a police station. The protesters turned violent, stoning vehicles and setting them on fire.

B.S. Yediyurappa, chief minister of Karnataka state, of which Bengaluru is the capital, directed police to take strict action against those involved in the protest and appealed to the public to maintain peace.

“The government will not tolerate such provocations and rumors,” Yediyurappa said.

The violence in southern India comes months after communal riots in the national capital, New Delhi, in which more than 55 people, mostly Muslims, were killed.

A policeman thrashes a motorist for violating prohibitory orders a day after violent protests in Bengaluru, India, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. At least three people have died in the southern Indian city after hundreds of demonstrators clashed with the police overnight against a Facebook post considered offensive to Muslims, attacking a police station and setting fire to vehicles, police said Wednesday. (AP Photo)

Credit: AP PHOTO

Credit: AP PHOTO