KARNATAKA: In Mandya district, Karnataka, police have filed 10 FIRs related to the violence that erupted during the Ganesh Visarjan procession in Nagamangala town. Authorities are searching for 94 individuals who have gone into hiding following the unrest. As of Friday, 56 people have been arrested in connection with the riots.
Police Inspector Ashok Kumar has been suspended for failing to report a similar riot-like incident during last year’s Ganesh Chaturthi. The area near the mosque in Badarikoppalu village was identified as a sensitive spot where more security could have been deployed, according to Mandya SP Mallikarjun Baladandi.
In total, 150 people have been booked for their involvement in the violence. Police have collected CCTV footage of the absconding suspects and are working to identify their addresses.
The FIR includes multiple sections under the BNSS, such as 109, 115, 118, 121, 132, 189, and 190.
On Thursday evening, 52 of the arrested individuals were presented in court and have been remanded to 14 days’ judicial custody.
Nagamangala town, which was under prohibitory orders, has seen a return to normalcy, though the situation remains tense. A curfew has been imposed until September 14, and police have conducted a flag march and deployed additional personnel to maintain order.
The violence began on Wednesday night when stones were reportedly thrown at a Ganpati idol immersion procession, leading to clashes between two groups. Rioters set fire to approximately 25 shops and vehicles from both communities. In response, some local Hindus protested at the police station, demanding immediate arrests of those responsible for the stone pelting.
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