Mob pelts stones at police station in Mysuru over an inflammatory post, accused secured

BENGALURU: An inflammatory post by a person on a social networking site led to tension in Udayagiri in Mysuru city on Monday evening after an enraged mob belonging to a minority community attacked Udayagiri police station by pelting stones at it. 7 police personnel sustained minor injuries in the stone pelting incident which is said to have occurred at around 9.30 pm.

Mysuru is the hometown of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and he represents Varuna Assembly seat in Mysuru district.

ADGP (Law and Order) Hitendra assessed the situation on Tuesday and told reporters in Mysuru city as per preliminary investigation by the police pointed some in mob were reportedly mislead that the accused person identified as Suresh would get bail easily and falling to it, irate mob started attack on the police station with stones.

Police have taken the case seriously and verification of CCTV and mobile footage of the stone pelting will be done to identify those involved in stone pelting to initiate action against them as per law, said the ADGP.

Mob which had gathered in front of Udayagiri police station pelted stones at the station leading to damages to several vehicles parked in the vicinity. The irate mob pelted stones at the vehicle of Deputy Commissioner of Police Jhanvi who reached the spot to assess the situation in Udayagiri.

Police secured Suresh, a resident of Kalyanagiri in Mysuru city over his alleged inflammatory post and brought him to Udayagiri police station. On learning about the arrest of Suresh, a mob gathered in front of the police station demanding police officials to hand over the accused to them under the impression that the accused would go scot free.

When police did not oblige, the mob started to pelt stones at the station causing damages to the vehicles. Noticing that the situation was turning violent, police burst tear shells to disperse the mob to bring the situation under control.

Minister of Home Dr G. Parameshwar told reporters in Bengaluru that instructions have been given to the police officials to arrest persons involved in stone pelting and attack on the police station. However, Minister of Cooperation K.N. Rajanna criticized the police over bringing accused Suresh to Udayagiri police station since the locality has a large concentration of minority population.

Leader of Opposition in Assembly R. Ashoka blamed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the attack on Udayagiri police station in Mysuru city and stated “It was the result of withdrawal of cases against religious fanatics by the State Government.”

Ashoka recalled a similar attack on a police station in Hubballi and stated the collapse of law and order in the State. Owing to withdrawal of cases, he said, religious fanatics have gained enough courage to carry out an attack on a police station.

On Tuesday, uneasy calm prevailed in Udayagiri and surrounding areas. Business and other commercial activities remained closed. Police tightened security in the region.