Worst-ever violence witnessed in Bangalore in the past ten years

Worst-ever violence witnessed in Bangalore in the past ten years

The Hindu

The number of vehicles damaged and policemen injured in mob attacks was unprecedented

Most of those who indulged in violence were drunk and anti-social elements went on the rampage, say police

BANGALORE: The violence that rocked Bangalore on Thursday, claiming six lives, is the worst the city has witnessed in the past 10 years. Four people were killed in police firing.

The city had not accounted for any death in police firing in recent years. Three persons were killed in police firing and a policeman was lynched by a mob during a communal violence in Jayanagar and surroundings areas 10 years ago.

The number of vehicles damaged and policemen injured in mob attacks on Thursday was unprecedented. Four petrol stations have been set on fire and a hotel torched since veteran actor Rajkumar passed away on Wednesday.

Policemen attacked

Policemen were chased and attacked in several places and three officers injured in stone throwing.

Ironically, policemen, who tried to protect lives and property, became the hapless victims of violence. "It was we who gave the gun salute to the departed actor. It was in our vehicle the thespian's body was carried to the funeral site and it was we who bore the brunt of the mob attack," said a senior officer.

Most of those who indulged in violence were drunk and anti-social elements went on the rampage, police said.

As it was an occasion of mourning the death of a prominent person, the police were restrained in using force. But when things went out of control, the police open opened fire, said an officer. The police had little time to plan and make proper security arrangements after the sudden decision to hold the funeral at Sri Kanteerava Studios, against the earlier plan to have the funeral at an estate near Bidadi on Mysore Road.

The shifting of Dr. Rajkumar's body from his house to Palace Grounds, then to Poornapragna School grounds in Sadashivanagar and finally to Sri Kanteerava Indoor Stadium resulted in the fans turning restless and violent, said the senior officer.

Incidentally, police firing and large-scale arson and stone throwing were reported from near the Sri Kanteerva Studios and the Sri Kanteerava Indoor Stadium.

Repeated appeals from Dr. Rajkumar's family members and prominent personalities of the Kannada film industry to maintain calm did not have any impact on the fans. Three petrol stations, one near the studio and two on Tumkur Road were set ablaze. The areas most hit by hooliganism were Bellary Road (Cauvery cinema junction), Yeshwanthpur, Tumkur Road-Chord Road, RMC Yard, Goruguntepalya and the Outer Ring Road connecting Kengeri with Hebbal.

Shifting of the victims of violence from the studio to hospitals was hindered as mobs set several vehicles on fire on Tumkur Road, blocking traffic.

Hotels vandalised

Near the stadium, the mobs vandalised Hotel Geo on Devanga Sangha Road, stoned Mallya Hospital and attempted to torch Pallavi cinema. On the route of the funeral procession, miscreants vented their unexplained wrath on Hotel Le Meridian on Sankey Road, Cauvery, Gopal and Goverdhan cinemas and the Metro outlet at Yeshwanthpur. Even the Yeshwanthpur Police Station and the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) were not spared.