Former Karnataka chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Thursday released videos of the violent clashes on December 19 between the police and anti-CAA protesters in Mangaluru that claimed two lives.
Kumaraswamy, during a press meet held in JP Bhavan in Bengaluru, claimed that the video footage raised suspicion over the possible involvement of the police in the violence.
"Who gave the Mangaluru police the power to open fire? The government and the police have done wrong," said Kumaraswamy, who released 35 video clips (in a compact disc) of the police firing.
Slamming Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, Kumaraswamy reminded that Yediyurappa had become the chief minister to resolve problems of the people of Karnataka and not to please “his bosses in Delhi”. Kumaraswamy alleged innocent persons were also lathi-charged by the police.
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"Both the CM and police commissioner have different versions of the circumstances that led to the firing incident. The CM claimed police station was being attacked. But the police claimed the protesters were near a shop. The police station has the 360-degree camera. Has the camera not captured the alleged attack on the police station by protesters?" asked Kumaraswamy, also ridiculing the government for withholding the compensation announced for the victim's families.
The BJP came down heavily on Kumaraswamy, alleging he was trying to disturb peace by making baseless allegations. “The incident is being investigated and the videos of the attack on the police station and the violence... stone-pelting by miscreants, attack on police armoury and damaging CCTVs is all in the public domain. Kumaraswamy is trying to protect KFD and PFI members," said BJP MLA Harish Poonja.