Karnataka: Prohibitory orders imposed in Mandya’s Nagamangala after riot erupts over Ganesh procession stone-pelting incident

Mandya (Karnataka) [India], September 12 (ANI): Prohibitory orders were imposed in Nagamangala in Karnataka’s Mandya district following a riot that broke out over allegations of stone pelting at a Ganesh immersion procession by other religious groups on Wednesday.

As per information from the Nagamangala police station, a protest was held by a group of Hindus in front of the police station on the allegation of stone pelting by other religious youth during a Ganesha immersion procession on Wednesday. The Hindus protested by stopping the Ganapati idol in front of the police station.

The immersion procession was done in a grand manner and when it came near a dargah on Mysore Road in Nagamangala, there were allegations that youths of other religions pelted stones at the procession, the police added.

Following this, a fight broke out between these two groups and a riot-like situation took place in which shops were set on fire and two police staff were injured by the miscreants.

The police had to clear out the situation and later on, the Hindus staged a protest in front of the police station, demanding action against the miscreants.

The police, thereafter, imposed prohibitory orders in Nagamangala to control the situation in the town.

“Prohibitory orders were imposed in Mandya district’s Nagamangala after a group of miscreants set shops on fire, and two police staff were injured. I have no information related to the machete or other weapons used in the clash. An investigation is underway. We are verifying the reasons for the instigation; our officers are on duty. We have detained a few people and a search is going on. Restriction orders will continue,” said the Inspector General of Police of South Division, MB Boralingaiah South Division.

Following the riots, Union Minister and former Chief Minister of Karnataka HD Kumaraswamy condemned the incident and said, “I strongly condemn the incident that took place during the Ganesha discharge in Nagamangala, Mandya district. It is a proof of the failure of peace and order in the town that the miscreants of a community deliberately raised a ruckus by targeting the devotees who were walking peacefully in the procession of God Ganapati, throwing stones and slippers at the public policemen, exploding petrol bombs and brandishing talvars. When the thugs of that community oppress those who were peacefully protesting in front of the police station asking for protection, it makes us doubt where we are. The failure of the local police is also evident here,” in a post in X.

He also slammed the Congress-led state government, stating that the incident was a result of overindulgence and appeasement of a particular community by the ruling party for their own political gain.

“This despicable incident took place in Nagamangala as a result of over-indulgence and appeasement of a particular community by the party and the state government for political gain. Such wooing and appeasement politics should stop. Otherwise, bad days are not far for the Congress party. My concern is that the public should maintain peace. The government should immediately take action to restore peace in the town. Also, there is no question of tolerating opposition party leaders and activists by the police on the pretext of this case,” Kumaraswamy added.

Last year, a riot also broke out in front of this Dargah, the police stated. A case has been registered by Nagamangala Town Police Station following the incident.