‘Not pre-planned’: DK Shivakumar rejects BJP charge over Ballari clash
Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday rejected the BJP’s allegation that the recent violent clash in Ballari was a “pre-planned conspiracy”, and said conclusions should be drawn only after the inquiry report is submitted.
According to a report published by NDTV on Saturday, "We have suspended the SP. Let the inquiry come out. This was not preplanned," Shivakumar said, responding to claims made by the opposition.
His remarks came after Leader of Opposition R Ashoka alleged that the clash, which resulted in the death of a Congress worker, was orchestrated in advance.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced the suspension of Superintendent of Police (SP) Ballari following a violent clash that killed Congress worker Rajashekhar, saying SP Pavan Nejjur has been suspended for his absence on the spot.
The violence broke out between supporters of Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and BJP MLA G Janardhana Reddy, leading to the death of Congress worker Rajashekhar.
Siddaramaiah, speaking to the media regarding the allegations made by the opposition BJP, said, "I don't want to answer the BJP. I have suspended the SP because he was not present on the spot." NDTV quoted him as saying.
The clash led to further violent incidents, including stone pelting. According to a letter from the Director General & Inspector General of Police, Ballari Range, Ballari, the officer did not effectively manage the situation and failed to brief senior officers on the ground situation properly.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) R Hithendra said five firearms had been seized from private gunmen at the site. The weapons were allegedly used during the violence, he said.
The government has said a detailed inquiry is underway and further action will be taken based on the findings.
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Ranchi: Temple guard bludgeoned to death during robbery attempt, 3 held
Ranchi (PTI): A 60-year-old security guard of a temple in Ranchi was bludgeoned to death with a stone during a robbery attempt, police said on Saturday.
The incident happened late on Thursday at the Jagannath Temple in the Dhurwa Smart City area, they said.
"Three persons were arrested on Friday for killing the security guard. They confessed to the crime and told police that the victim had identified them. Therefore, in fear of being caught, they killed him by attacking him with a stone on his head," SSP Rakesh Ranjan said.
"Thereafter, they took money from the donation box and fled the scene. Two of them have criminal antecedents," he added.
Ranjan said the investigators recovered Rs 3 lakh in cash that had been robbed, the stone with blood-stained marks, and the iron rod used to break open the lock of the donation box kept there.
An FIR in this regard was lodged at the Dhurwa police station, he said, adding that the accused were sent to judicial custody by a court.
