3 killed during Bengaluru violence over reported Facebook post

Three people were killed in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru after violence erupted between police and protesters over a reported derogatory Facebook post about the Prophet Mohammad, a senior police official said on Wednesday.

The violent protests saw thousands taking to the streets late on Tuesday, local news reports said.

“The situation is under control,” Bengaluru City Police said on Twitter, adding that police fired live ammunition to disperse the crowd after using tear gas and batons.

#Bengaluru: 110 rioters arrested after midnight violence over a derogatory social media post in DJ Halli. The police station was attacked, 60 cops were injured. Scene today 👇(Pix: TOI Sunil) pic.twitter.com/A0RZhEz4jr

— Rakesh Prakash (@rakeshprakash1) August 12, 2020

TV channels showed group of people gathered outside a police station and clashing with officers, burning several police vehicles. The videos showed the group later trying to force its way into the police station, and another group gathering outside the politician’s house shouting slogans, throwing stones, and setting fire to vehicles parked along the road.

Protesters blocked fire engines and some media personnel were allegedly attacked, according to reports.

"Accused Naveen arrested for posting derogatory posts", Police Commissioner Kamal Pant said in a tweet, adding that a 110 people had been arrested for arson, stone throwing and assault on police. Several police officers were injured, he told TV reporters.

Violence in #Bengaluru over a derogatory post by close relative of MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy. Vehicles burnt, stones pelted, situation still tense in Pulakeshinagar. pic.twitter.com/soMK3pF4TG

— Prathibha (@prathibhatweets) August 11, 2020

A curfew was imposed in the surrounding area to restrict movement, police said.

“We are investigating the issue and will make use of the CCTV footages to see who is behind these violent acts, and will take stringent actions,” Karnataka state Home Minister Basavraj Bommai told a local TV news channel.

Meanwhile, R Ashoka, a state minister, told the same news channel that attacks on police and media would not be tolerated.

“What kind of people attack the police? The media? The local police have been given a free hand to deal with the situation,” he said.