Fwd: Devi Procession Sparks Communal Violence

[Guest guest]

, "Devi Bhakta

<devi_bhakta>" <devi_bhakta> wrote:

>From Bangalore's "Deccan Herald", comes an article entitled, "Cops,

people injured in group clash in City area":

 

BANGALORE, Feb 25 - At least 12 policemen and as many people

were

injured and several vehicles and shops were damaged in communal

violence that erupted in the sensitive Anepalya and Neelasandra

areas

in the City tonight.

 

As the situation continued to be tense, police have clamped

prohibitory orders (Sec 144) in Ashok Nagar and Vivek Nagar police

limits for two days.

 

Triggered off when a procession of Goddess Annamma Devi passed

through a masjid in the area, the clash between members of two

communities left at least 12 policemen including Ashok Nagar

Inspector Mariswamy Gowda and Sub-Inspector Shankarappa injured.

Mr

Shankarappa who sustained head injuries is said to be in a critical

condition.

 

In the pitched battle several shops were damaged when the two

groups

indulged in stone--throwing. An angry mob ransacked and burnt a wine

store on Anepalya Main Road. According to locals, there was a minor

altercation between people of two communities in the afternoon itself.

 

But, it erupted around 8:45 pm when the procession was being taken

out. Upon hearing the news of trouble, Ashok Nagar Inspector

Mariswamy Gowda and Sub-Inspector Shankarappa rushed to the

spot with

policemen.

But frenzied mobs pelted stones and bottles injuring policemen. A

Cheetah vehicle, a Hoysala and a jeep were damaged in the incident.

 

Additional forces were rushed to the spot following the incident.

Police also resorted to lathi-charge and lobbed tear gas shells to

quell the mob.

 

City Police Commissioner M D Singh, Joint Commissioner Jeevan

Kumar

Gaonkar and all the DCPs rushed to the spot and held meetings with

leaders of both the communities and appealed them to maintain peace.

Member of Parliament Jaffer Sharieff who visited the spot has

appealed the people to remain calm and maintain peace. The injured

cops have been admitted to the Mallya, Nimhans, Bowring and St

John's

hospitals. Chief Minister S M Krishna visited the injured cops

admitted at Mallya Hospital.

 

Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/feb26/i7.asp

Courtesy of HPI (Hindu Press International)

--- End forwarded message ---