Several shops and vehicles were set ablaze as Section 144 imposed
Team Clarion
MANDYA – A night of celebration turned into chaos on Wednesday as communal violence erupted during the immersion of Ganesh idols in Nagmangla in Mandya district. The trouble began as the Ganesh procession reached a mosque and stayed there for an extended period. Heated arguments ensued that soon escalated into violence causing widespread property damage and several critical injuries.
Several shops, including paint stores, bike showrooms, and clothing outlets, were set on fire by miscreants. Vehicles were also torched, leaving a trail of destruction in the area. Two police officers sustained injuries due to stone pelting by the rioters.
In response to the unrest, authorities have enforced Section 144 which bans gatherings of more than four people. A heavy police presence has been deployed to restore order. “Stones were pelted during the Ganesh immersion procession. Some shops and bikes were set on fire. Two policemen were injured. We have deployed police force everywhere. The situation is under control. We have implemented Section 144 and have detained some people and are investigating,” a senior police official said.
He said the violence erupted when the Ganesh procession halted in front of the mosque for an extended period, leading to clashes between the two communities. “There was a clash between the two communities due to the Ganesh immersion procession standing in front of the mosque for a long time. At that time, the police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd. Later, groups from both sides protested in front of the police station, and miscreants took advantage of the tension to set fire to some shops and vehicles,” the official explained.
The incident is reminiscent of similar disturbances during last year’s Ganesh festival in Nagmangla. Authorities had to take action to control the situation then as well.
Meanwhile, The Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, reacting to the incident said that he will visit the spot on Friday and also urged the Congress-led state government not to arrest innocent people.
Speaking to media persons in New Delhi on Thursday, Union Minister Kumaraswamy said, “The Congress government had rendered the police officers inactive and the incident of violence is a direct consequence of it. Murders and robberies are taking place rampantly in the state.”