Shivamogga: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressed the media on Monday, revealing that over 40 individuals have been apprehended in relation to the recent stone-pelting incident that occurred in Shivamogga. Legal actions have been initiated against those involved.

Tensions flared up in Ragigudda, near the Shantinagar area of Shivamogga city in Karnataka, on Sunday night during an Eid Milad procession. Reports emerged of a mob hurling stones at houses and vehicles, resulting in damage and injuries to several participants in the religious procession. Six people, including two policemen, sustained injuries and were subsequently transported to the district hospital.

In response to the unrest, Rapid Action Force (RAF) teams were dispatched to the scene, and police resorted to mild lathi charges to disperse the crowd.

Following these events, Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was imposed in specific areas of the city to maintain law and order.

The outbreak of violence stemmed from protests earlier on Sunday, arising from the police’s decision to obscure a cutout of Tipu Sultan, the former ruler of Mysuru, with a curtain. Allegedly, the cutout depicted Tipu Sultan engaged in actions deemed offensive by certain sections of the community. It was reported that paint had been smeared on the ruler’s cutout, sparking protests in Ragigudda.

Shivamogga Superintendent of Police GK Mithun Kumar visited the scene and engaged in discussions with the protestors to ease tensions. However, the situation escalated, leading to the stone-pelting incident. The exact sequence of events remains unclear, with some media outlets suggesting that rumors of stone-pelting at the procession by outsiders in a different location may have incited the stone-throwing in the Ragi Gudda area.

SP GK Mithun Kumar stated, “Some miscreants pelted stones during the Eid Milad procession. Some vehicles and houses were damaged. Based on videos and information, individuals have already been arrested in connection with the incident. Section 144 has been imposed in the area as a precautionary measure, and a case has been registered. The situation is now under control, except for Shanti Nagar and Ragi Gudda. Stringent action will be taken against the culprits.”

Local authorities have urged residents to avoid spreading rumors on social media platforms.

CM Siddaramaiah assured that the situation in Shivamogga is currently peaceful, and the police are taking all necessary measures to maintain order. He emphasized that disturbing religious events and engaging in stone-pelting is unlawful, and his government will not tolerate such incidents, promising to suppress them.

Shivamogga BJP MLA S N Channabasappa visited the houses in the Ragi Gudda area damaged during the stone-pelting and alleged the involvement of outsiders. He expressed concerns about the city becoming a hub for those seeking to spread terror.

To ensure peace and security, a substantial police presence has been deployed in the communally sensitive city, with at least 12 platoons of District Armed Reserve (DAR), two platoons of RAF, two platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), and 2,500 police officers stationed across the city.

Shivamogga has witnessed previous incidents of communal tension, including the murder of Bajrang Dal activist Harsha in February 2022 and a series of stabbing incidents related to the display of banners and posters featuring the controversial freedom fighter Veer Savarkar.

Shivamogga: Banjara community anti-reservation protests were held in different parts of the state on Tuesday. The anger of the Banjara community erupted in several Tandas of Kunchenahalli and Bagalkote in Shivamogga taluk.

The protestors of Banjara community blocked the road and set tires on fire in Shivamogga’s Kunchenahalli. Although the government has clarified that the Justice Sadashiva Report Commission has not been fully implemented, the anger of the Banjara community has not subsided.

The protestors who blocked the road in Kunchenahalli set fire to tires and shouted slogans against the government. Vehicular traffic on the highway was completely disrupted due to the protest by blocking the road on the Shivamogga-Shikaripur state highway and setting tires on fire in the middle of the road. Hundreds of vehicles lined up on both sides of the road. After the police visited the place and talked to the protestors and persuaded them, the villagers stopped the protest.

Protest across Bagalkote district:

The Banjara community protested at various places across Bagalkote district and expressed their anger against the reduction of internal reservation quota.

Vigorous protests were held in Sunaga Tanda of Balagi taluk, Muchakhandi Tanda of Bagalkota taluk, Aminagada Tanda of Hunagunda taluk, Kamtagi Tanda, Achanur Tanda, Neelanagar Tanda, Lavaleshwar Tanda, Jadramanakunte, Shiraguppi Tanda and other places. Protesters shouted slogans of defiance as they pulled down BJP flags that were tied on houses and electricity poles.

Shivamogga: The Shivamogga airport in Karnataka was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a significant milestone for the region’s development. During the event, PM Modi highlighted the importance of the airport and the government’s commitment to bringing growth to not just big cities, but also to villages and smaller towns.

PM Modi expressed his excitement about the new opportunities that will arise in the aviation sector, including the expansion of air travel and the rise of “Made in India” aircraft. He also took a jab at the Congress party, pointing out that under their rule, small towns were not prioritized for air connectivity.

The PM further noted that the new airport will open doors of development for Shivamogga, a land of nature, culture, and agriculture. He described the region as one of the most fertile places in India, where different types of crops can be found, establishing it as an agricultural center.

Overall, the inauguration of the Shivamogga airport represents a significant step forward for the development of Karnataka, as well as for the country’s aviation sector, underlining the BJP government’s dedication to progress and growth.