Ballari, 2 Jan

An FIR was registered on Friday against BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy and 10 others in connection with violent clashes that broke out after one person was killed over the installation of banners ahead of a Valmiki statue unveiling programme in Ballari, police said.

The situation in the city remained peaceful on Friday, a day after the clashes allegedly erupted between supporters of BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy and Congress MLA Bharath Reddy. Security has been intensified across sensitive areas to prevent any further escalation, officials added.

One person was killed during the violence on Thursday, while several others sustained injuries. Police said the exact number of injured persons and their identities were being verified.

"The situation was brought under control, and additional security has been deployed. At present, the situation remains peaceful, and all precautionary measures have been taken to ensure that no untoward incident occurs," a senior police officer said.

According to the complaint filed by 47-year-old Chanala Shekhar at the Brucepet police station, Congress MLA Bharath Reddy has been undertaking various development works in the city, including road and public infrastructure projects. As part of these initiatives, a programme was organised near SP Circle for the unveiling of a statue of Valmiki.

"On January 1, between 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm, the accused, Janardhan Reddy, Somasekhar Reddy, and others, allegedly damaged the banners put up for the unveiling ceremony near Janardhan Reddy's house," the complainant alleged.

When Shekhar and another individual, Sathish Reddy, questioned the accused over the damage, they were allegedly attacked. The FIR states that the accused, along with their supporters, assaulted them with the intention of killing them. The complainant further alleged that police officer Srinivas, who attempted to intervene, was also injured during the clash.

Based on the complaint, police registered a case against Janardhana Reddy, Somasekhar Reddy, and nine others under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including attempt to murder, rioting, unlawful assembly, voluntarily causing hurt using dangerous weapons, criminal intimidation, and intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace.

Videos circulating on social media purportedly show a private gunman firing shots into the air as tension gripped the Avambhavi area, where the incident took place.

Police said the confrontation occurred when supporters of Bharath Reddy attempted to install banners in front of Janardhana Reddy’s residence ahead of the Valmiki statue unveiling scheduled for January 3. This was opposed by the BJP MLA’s supporters, leading to a heated exchange that escalated into stone-pelting from both sides.

Stones were also allegedly thrown at police personnel who rushed to the spot to restore order. As the situation threatened to spiral out of control, police resorted to a lathi charge and fired bullets in the air to disperse the crowd.

Police said investigations are underway to establish the sequence of events and verify the allegations made by both sides.