Ballari clashes: Bullet that killed man not fired by police; ballistic test ordered, says minister
Tumakuru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said that, as per preliminary reports, the bullet that led to the death of a person during recent clashes in Ballari was not fired from police weapons and was likely discharged from a private revolver.
He said ballistic experts would examine all revolvers seized from those present at the spot when the incident occurred.
Tension prevailed in parts of Ballari on Thursday night after supporters of Ballari City Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and Gangavati BJP MLA G Janardhan Reddy allegedly clashed over a banner installation issue. The situation turned violent with alleged stone-pelting and firing, leaving one person dead.
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The incident reportedly began after supporters of Bharath Reddy allegedly installed a poster related to the Valmiki statue unveiling in front of Janardhan Reddy’s residence in Ballari.
"I had sent the ADGP (Law and Order), who is still at the spot. As per preliminary reports, the bullet that killed the person was not fired by the police and does not match police ammunition. It appears to have been fired from a private weapon. The bullet has been sent to the forensic science laboratory," Parameshwara said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said firearms seized from all those present at the scene would be sent for ballistic examination.
"FIRs have been registered based on complaints and counter-complaints against several people. These will be examined. The chief minister has ordered a high-level probe, and accordingly, I have issued necessary instructions to the department," he added.
Referring to political statements made by leaders from both sides, the minister said facts were more important and that the police were working to establish them.
"Unnecessary statements will be of no use. Leaders going to Ballari and creating a political atmosphere is not appropriate. If provocative statements are made, necessary action will be taken in accordance with the law," he said.
Parameshwara said he would visit Ballari, if necessary, once the report is received. He added that organisers of the Valmiki statue unveiling event were advised to postpone the programme in view of the prevailing situation, and they complied.
On the suspension of Ballari Superintendent of Police Pavan Nejjur following the incident, he said the SP should have been present at the spot, issued instructions and brought the situation under control. "As that did not happen, he has been suspended," he said.
When it was pointed out that the SP had taken charge only a few hours before the incident, the home minister said, "Duty is duty. Is he new to the police department? An SP-level officer should have immediately taken up the challenge and brought the situation under control."
He added, "IPS officers are trained to handle such situations at any time. Had he acted promptly, the situation could have been prevented from escalating."
He said the Chitradurga SP, who earlier served in Ballari, has been given additional charge of the district, while the Davangere Inspector General of Police has been stationed there.
"We will soon post an experienced SP to Ballari district," he added.
Statements are being recorded from those present at the scene and from individuals identified through police cameras as part of the investigation, he said.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
