NEW DELHI: Three people were killed on Wednesday after police opened fire to quell a mob that went on a rampage in Bengaluru’s Pulakeshi Nagar following a derogatory social media post allegedly put out by a Congress legislator’s relative. Scores, including around 50 policemen, were injured in the violence that erupted on Tuesday night and continued till the wee hours of Wednesday. At least 146 people have been arrested so far in connection with the rioting.
Here are the top developments:
CRPF being deployed in violence-hit areas; situation under control
Karnataka home minister Basavaraj Bommai said six companies of the Central Reserve Police Force are being dispatched to the violence-hit areas of Bengaluru.
Three companies from Hyderabad and three from Chennai will be deployed in DG Halli and K G Halli police station limits where disturbances occurred Tuesday night.
He said efforts to vitiate the atmosphere in society through hooliganism which will not be tolerated. Restoration of peace is the priority of the government and strict action will be taken against such elements, he said.
He said the situation is now under control and additional police forces are deployed in the area.
Karnataka govt will deal with rioters with iron hand: Minister
Terming the violence in the city as a ‘well planned act,’ Karnataka revenue minister R Ashoka said the ‘traitors,’ who perpetrated the riots, would be dealt with an iron hand and steps would be taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy at Vidhana Soudha, Ashoka said, “The manner in which the riots were perpetrated shows that it was a well planned act and was intended to spread to other parts of the city. These are traitors and we will subdue them.”

‘Will recover losses from rioters’

The Karnataka government has decided to conduct a probe by the District Magistrate into the violence that broke out in Bengaluru.
The government has also decided to recover the losses arising from damage to public property during the violence from the rioters, home minister Basavaraj Bommai said.
“It has been decided in a meeting with chief minister with senior officials that district magistrate will hold an inquiry into the incident as per the guidelines of the National Human Rights Commission. So far, 146 people have been arrested,” Bommai said.
BJP accuses Congress of not being ‘vocal’ against rioters
Politics over the violence also played out during the day with the ruling BJP accusing the Congress of not being “vocal” against the rioters who attacked its legislator. It said “appeasement” seemed to be the official policy of the Congress.
The BJP also said chief minister B S Yediyurappa must make the rioters pay heavily for destruction of properties.
“Shameful n disgusting! Karnataka Congress is silent on yesterday’s vandalism in Bengaluru. Pseudos are also not vocal against this riot! Freedom from fear of riots is what B’luru needs now. Sri B S Yediyurappa must make rioters pay heavily for destruction of properties.#SaveBengaluru,” BJP general secretary P Muralidhar Rao tweeted.
Congress, JD(S) extend support to govt
Opposition Congress and JD(S) in Karnataka extended complete support to the state government in establishing peace in violence-hit parts of Bengaluru city and demanded immediate action against the culprits.
“I condemn both violent incidents that erupted in Kaval Byrsandra & also the social media post that instigated the mob. I humbly request both Hindus & Muslims of the area to stay calm, maintain peace & live in harmony,” Leader of opposition Siddaramaiah tweeted.
JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda in a tweet condemning the violence, has requested the government to take ‘merciless’ action against those involved.
Amid tensions, video brings hope, goodwill
In a show of hope and goodwill, a video showed a group of minority community youth forming a human chain around a temple in the DJ Halli police station area to protect it from arsonists on Tuesday night.
The video made by local residents shows a few dozen men lining up side by side, hand in hand, in front of the temple’s gate and the periphery of its campus to dissuade arsonists around the same time as violence continued to occur in other areas.
Yediyurappa assures strict action against accused, appeals for peace
Chief minister BS Yediyurappa said that directives have been issued to take strict action against the accused and asserted that the government has taken all possible steps to curb the situation.
While urging people to maintain peace, he also said that violence against journalists, police and people last night was unacceptable.
“The miscreants in the DJ Halli police station has led to the assault and rioting at MLA Akhand Srinivasa’s house and police station. Directives have already been issued against the perpetrators and the government has taken all possible steps to curb the situation,” he tweeted (roughly translated from Kannada).
Congress MLA Srinivas Murthy’s house vandalised
The violence began late Tuesday when a mob vandalised the residence of Congress MLA Srinivas Murthy over a social media post regarding Prophet Muhammad allegedly put out by his nephew Naveen, police said.
The mob set ablaze cars and protested in front of KG Halli police station.
The cops said they have arrested Naveen.
(With inputs from agencies)