Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said that more than 40 people have been arrested over violence in Shivamogga during Eid Milad procession.
Earlier on Sunday evening, a group of people allegedly pelted stones at houses and vehicles in Shivamogga's Ragi Gudda area after rumours spread that there had been an attack on an Eid Milad procession.
Following the violence, prohibitory orders were imposed. The police say the situation is under control.
The police had to resort to a lathi-charge to disperse the mob.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara termed the incident "minor" and said suspects have been taken into custody.
"Yes, are they happening now? Such things have happened, police are capable of controlling it and will do it. Aware that anything may happen during the procession as it is a tense area, forces including RAF were deployed in advance, so we could control it from spiralling into a big incident," said Parameshwara further about the stone-pelting, as per PTI.
Shivamogga Superintendent of Police (SP) GK Mithun Kumar said on Monday that the situation is under control in the district.
The PTI reported Kumar as saying that a few persons, including police personnel, suffered injuries in the violence on Sunday.
Kumar said that the people who suffered damages have been urged to file complaints. He further said that there are CCTV and drone footages and the miscreants would be charged.
"We have asked those who suffered injuries and property damage, to file complaints. We have already secured some people, who were involved in the incident. There is videography, CCTV camera and drone camera footage, we will nab all those involved and ensure they are punished," said Kumar.
Kumar further said that there is adequate deployment of security personnel in the district. He said that adequate number of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), one company of Rapid Action Force (RAF), 900 home guards, and 2,000 police personnel along with senior officials are deployed to maintain law and order in the district.
Earlier on Sunday, a cutout that was part of the Eid procession had a "bit controversial" content and was thus covered up as it upset members of a community, according to police sources quoted by PTI. There were protests over the cutout.
Then, later in the evening, an angry mob threw stones at some houses and vehicles and injured several people after rumours spread that stones had been pelted at Eid Milad procession, reported PTI.
