Bengaluru, 5 Jan

Three minor boys have been detained in connection with a stone pelting incident targeting Om Shakti devotees at Jagjeevan Ram Nagar locality here, police sources said on Monday.

Two women were injured in the attack on the procession on Sunday night. After the incident, residents staged a demonstration at the JJ Nagar police station, demanding action against the culprits.

An additional police force has been deployed at JJ Nagar, fearing retaliatory action by the aggrieved people on Monday.

Senior police officers have camped in the locality and have started an investigation to trace the culprits involved in the crime.

According to police sources, three boys aged about 15 were detained for throwing stones at Om Shakti devotees.

Based on a complaint by Shashikumar N, a resident of VS Garden, an FIR was registered late on Sunday night.

The incident occurred between 8.15 pm and 9 pm, when devotees were taking out a procession in the area, he said.

The complainant alleged that three to four youths pelted stones at the procession, during which a female devotee sustained a serious head injury and suffered bleeding wounds.

She was subsequently admitted to a local hospital for treatment.

The complaint further claimed that in the past, similar incidents, including arson, had taken place during religious observances in the area.

It was also alleged that the locality has a significant Dalit population and that instances of atrocities against Dalits have occurred.

Noting that the incident amounted to an attack on religious sentiments and an act of intimidation, Om Shakti devotees and Ayyappa Swamy devotees jointly sought strict legal action against those responsible.

In a post on ‘X’, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra said, “Karnataka today stands as a grim example of the complete collapse of law and order under @INCKarnataka rule. Miscreants roam with impunity, emboldened by a government whose appeasement politics and dangerously soft stance towards those harbouring a jihadist mindset have effectively signalled that certain sections are beyond the reach of the law, and this has now begun to serve as their shield.”

He alleged that communal tension is rising by the day due to selective enforcement of the law, carried out with the “tacit approval of the political executive”.

According to him, these incidents are “clear consequences of a government that has prioritised appeasement over public safety”.

“I urge the Congress government to abandon this dangerous path and immediately identify, arrest and prosecute all miscreants involved, without fear or favour,” he wrote in his post.

Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka said if the police do not take the attack on Om Shakti Sangha seriously, such incidents will recur.

“The devotees were attacked while returning quietly after visiting the temple. The girl who was injured has suffered mental trauma. She is afraid that if she comes in front of the media, she won't be able to show her face later. We have assured her that all kinds of treatment and cooperation will be provided,” he told reporters.

CM hints at handing over into Ballari case to CID

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday indicated that the state government might hand over the Ballari firing case to the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) even as Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the incident. 

Speaking to reporters, he stated that the Ballari district police are probing the incident. “Our Police are efficient. After we get a report from them, to the state home minister G Paramehwara, we will decide if the case should be handed over to CID.”

When asked about the demand for a judicial probe by a sitting HC judge, the CM said he will discuss the matter with the home minister.

The CM further said that he would discuss the issue of cabinet reshuffle with Congress president Rahul Gandhi after meeting him by the end of this month.

On completion of 1000 days in office, the Chief Minister said, “Forget about becoming the CM twice, I had not dreamt of becoming a minister. He added that it was people's love that had seen him emerge as a leader.”  

Siddaramaiah also met with AICC general secretary KC Venugopal during a brief stopover at Mysuru airport. 

"CBI must do the enquiry into the incident of Ballari... The reason for the incident is the Maharshi Valmiki statue installation program. Today I saw in the newspapers that the government had not permitted the installation of any statue," Kumaraswamy pointed out.