Nagamangala incident happened ‘on a whim’, not as a result of communal violence, says Karnataka Home Minister | Bengaluru

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Thursday said the clashes between two groups during the Ganesh idol immersion procession in Nagamangala town in Mandya district cannot be termed as “communal violence” as he maintained that the incident happened “on a whim”.

He said 52 people have been arrested from both sides and after reviewing the CCTV footage of their involvement in the incidents like stone pelting and burning of vehicles and properties, action will be taken against them. “Yesterday’s incident should not have happened. What started as a small incident… is over. There was no serious injury or scuffle. The police have brought the situation under control. During the march, stones were pelted which led to clashes. After that, when everything seemed to have been resolved and people were dispersing, some set bikes and shops on fire and later (the police) brought the situation under control,” Parameshwara said.

Speaking to reporters, he said no loss of life or “major problems” have been reported; the Superintendent of Police and Inspector General are at the spot, while a platoon of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) has been deployed. “I had sent the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Law and Order, he too has reached the spot and is camping there. Everything is under control and there is no further incident,” he added.

Asked about the violent nature of the incident, the minister said: “By accident, while the procession was moving, someone threw stones, to which these people also responded by throwing stones, which led to clashes. We cannot talk about inter-communal violence.” Asked about the fact that a Molotov cocktail was thrown and whether the incident was planned, he said: “No, no, it (the incident) happened immediately, on a whim. The police did not let the situation escalate and brought the situation under control. I appeal to the media not to report it further.”

“I am not saying that the incident did not happen. The incident happened, we have brought the situation under control to ensure that it does not escalate further, law enforcement agencies have been deployed at the spot, senior police officers are also present…,” he said in response to a question. Responding to allegations of police lapses in not taking precautionary measures despite similar incidents last year, Parameshwara said a platoon of KSRP was stationed at the spot, which helped bring the situation under control.

“Otherwise, there could have been more serious violence,” he added. Noting that stones were also pelted at the police, the minister said an assistant sub-inspector was injured and considering “all these factors”, cases would be registered. He added that prima facie, there does not seem to be any political incitement behind the incident. “Let us see what the inquiry report will reveal.”