Congress will raise Bengaluru violence issue in assembly: Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru: Demanding a fair probe into last month's violence in the city, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the Congress will raise the issue during the coming monsoon session of the state legislature.
The former Chief Minister, who was under COVID-19 treatment when the incident occurred, today visited D J Halli and adjoining areas, where rioters were involved in arson on the night of August 11.
"I urge the government that the inquiry has to happen as soon as possible. It should be fair and the guilty should be punished," Siddaramaiah said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said whoever was responsible and however influential they are, they should be punished if found guilty. Innocent people should not be punished, he said.
Further pointing out that he has demanded constitution of a judicial commission to probe the incident for the truth to come out, Siddaramaiah said "even today I demand a judicial commission, headed by a sitting High Court judge.
"We will raise the issue (Bengaluru violence) in the assembly," he said in response to a question. The monsoon session of the legislature will be held from September 21 to 30.
Three people were killed after police opened fire on August 11 night to quell a mob that went on a rampage over an inflammatory social media post allegedly put out by P Naveen, a relative of Pulakeshinagar Congress MLA R Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy.
The MLAs residence and a police station at D J Halli were torched by the rioters, who also set ablaze many police and private vehicles, besides looting the belongings of the legislator and his sister.
More than 300 people have been arrested in connection with the violence and investigation is on.
Also, retired judge, Justice H S Kempanna has been appointed as the "Claims Commissioner" to assess the damage caused during the violence and to recover the costs from the culprits.
To a query about the alleged involvement of some Congress corporators behind the incident, Siddaramaiah asked how someone can be blamed unless it is proved or there is evidence.
"I don't want to talk about any party, the inquiry is still in the preliminary stage. We cannot say such things like BJP leaders and the Home Minister are doing at this stage."
Siddaramaiah opined that if the police had announced Naveen's arrest to the mob immediately, mostly this level of violence wouldn't have happened.
Asserting that only the guilty should be punished, he said, "according to some, there are innocents among those arrested, during the investigation if there is no evidence against them, they should be released. Innocents should not be punished, they should not be sent to jail."
Reacting to this, BJP National General Secretary B L Santosh, who has been critical of Siddaramaiah, accusing him of not condemning the rioters who attacked the house of his own party Dalit MLA Murthy, reiterated his allegation.
"Ex-CM from @INCKarnataka just gives sanction for destruction & riots in case of even flimsy grievance. No wonder he was voted out conclusively by voters of Karnataka. Cant condemn riots or attack on his Partys Dalit MLA, but bats for rioters," Santosh tweeted.
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Violence during Ram Navami rally in Murshidabad; Muslim shops vandalised, several injured
Murshidabad: Violence broke out during a Ram Navami procession in Raghunathganj area of Jangipur subdivision, where around 40 shops were reportedly vandalised and several set on fire, raising concerns over law and order ahead of the Assembly elections.
The incident took place in Fultala locality, a predominantly Muslim residential area near the Jangipur subdivisional hospital. According to sources, tension began when a Ram Navami procession passed near a mosque while Friday prayers were underway.
Objections raised by those offering prayers reportedly led to a verbal altercation. The situation escalated as the procession moved towards Fultala crossing.
Eyewitnesses alleged that members of the mob climbed onto rooftops of nearby houses, hoisted saffron flags, damaged shops and assaulted residents. Several commercial establishments, including small shops and food outlets, were reportedly targeted.
The site of the incident is located close to the Raghunathganj police station. Residents claimed that the violence continued for some time despite the presence of police and central forces, alleging delayed intervention. Police later resorted to a lathicharge to disperse the crowd.
Among those injured was Abul Sheikh, a 30-year-old employee of Jangipur municipality, who sustained head injuries. He alleged that he was attacked while passing through the area on his motorcycle, which was also damaged and set on fire.
BJP Jangipur president Subal Chandra Ghosh said the situation arose after the procession was allegedly obstructed. He stated that participants reacted by pelting stones, leading to clashes in which people from both sides were injured.
Superintendent of Police of Jangipur police district, Surinder Singh, said police reached the spot and brought the situation under control. He said an investigation has been initiated with the involvement of both state police and central forces. No arrests had been made so far, and search operations are underway, he added.
Jangipur MLA Zakir Hossain alleged that the incident was an attempt to create communal tension ahead of elections and demanded immediate action against those responsible.
