Chikkamagaluru, 16 Sept

Six minors were apprehended after a video of them allegedly riding two-wheelers holding Palestinian flag on Dantaramakki road in Chikkamagaluru town surfaced on social media, police said on Monday.

Three of them were on a two-wheeler and one of the pillion riders, a 17-year-old boy, was allegedly waving a Palestinian flag around 1pm on Sunday while three of their friends followed them on another bike, according to police. They also shouted slogans on 'free Palestine'.

Chikkamagaluru City Police “have registered a case under sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections for disturbing communal harmony. Both the vehicles have been impounded along with the flag," a police officer said.

During interrogation, the boys said they had watched some videos of a procession in Uttar Pradesh in which people were seen carrying Palestinian flags and they wanted to make a similar reel on Instagram. The minors were quizzed on how they got the Palestinian flag and if they acted on their own or were asked to do so by someone else.

A police team, headed by an Inspector, has been formed to investigate the incident. Police have beefed up security throughout the day as Milad-Un-Nabi processions were passing through arterial roads in Chikkamagaluru city.

Earlier in the day, former BJP national general secretary and MLC CT Ravi alleged that without permission a rally was held in Chikkamagaluru on Sunday in more than 20 two-wheelers and one four-wheeler holding a Palestine flag. "Some influential people tried to influence police in favour of those involved. More than 200 people came in front of the police station; an explanation was sought and they were let go... I urged police to conduct a detailed probe and destroy the network behind them. The incident should not be taken lightly," he said.      –Salar News