Six companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are being dispatched to the violence-hit areas of Bengaluru, said Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday. Three companies from Hyderabad and three from Chennai will be deployed in DG Halli and KG Halli police station limits.
Three persons were killed after police opened fire to quell a mob that went on a rampage over a social media post allegedly put out by a Congress legislator's relative. Pulakeshi Nagar MLA Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy's residence and a police station at DJ Halli were among those targeted by the angry mob.
Scores, including around 50 policemen, were injured in the violence that erupted on Tuesday night and continued till the wee hours of Wednesday.
Murthy's nephew Naveen was arrested for allegedly sharing the Facebook post on social media that triggered the violence. Police have also arrested a total of 146 people accused of arson, stone-pelting and assault.
Bommai said efforts to vitiate the atmosphere in society through hooliganism would not be tolerated. Restoration of peace is the priority of the government and strict action will be taken against such elements, he said.
The minister said rapid action force and the 'Garuda' force are also being deployed in the area.
Section 144 has been imposed in the entire Bengaluru city while curfew has been imposed in D.J. Halli and K.G. Halli police station limits.
Meanwhile, Revenue Minister R. Ashoka said that the violence was a “well planned act”, adding that the perpetrators would be dealt with an iron hand.
"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,” he said.
Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa had termed the violence "condemnable" and said he ordered "strict action against the miscreants and the government has taken adequate measures to bring the situation under control."
With inputs from PTI
