BELAGAVI, 10 DEC

Police on Tuesday allegedly resorted to lathicharge as the protests by the Panchamasali Lingayats turned violent.

A protest led by the Panchamasali community in Karnataka, seeking inclusion in the 2A reservation category for education and government jobs, erupted into violence on Tuesday. The unrest took place outside the Suvarna Vidhan Soudha during the Karnataka Winter Legislature session, resulting in injuries to around 20 individuals, including several police officers.

Approximately 10,000 protesters attempted to breach police barricades set up around the legislative premises, leading to chaos as stones were thrown at police and passing vehicles on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway. The ensuing disruption caused major traffic delays, with hundreds of vehicles immobilised for over an hour.

Police, led by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) R Hitendra, initially anticipated a peaceful demonstration but were forced to implement a lathi charge as tensions escalated. "The mob turned violent after they and Mrutynjaya Seer of the Kudalasangama Mutt were prevented from entering the Soudha," Hitendra reported. The seer, Basava Jaya Mruthyunjaya Swami, expressed his disappointment at the lack of adequate reservation for the community despite their political influence in northern Karnataka.  —Salar News with Agencies