At least 55 arrested after violence at Ganpati procession in Karnataka's Mandya district

At least 55 suspects have been arrested from Nagamangala town of Karnataka’s Mandya district after violence marred a Ganpati procession on Sep 11, forcing authorities to impose section 144 ― disallowing assembly of four or more people ― to bring the situation under control.

"Taking the investigations forward, we have arrested three more people in addition to 52 already under detention. The situation is peaceful here,” Mallikarjun Baldandi, Mandya’s Superintendent of Police said on Sep 13. “Additional police forces have been deployed and prohibitory orders will be in place till Sep 14," he added.

Baldandi said that more arrests were likely as police continue their investigation.

Violence erupted after a Ganpati procession proceeding for idol immersion came under stone-pelting by unknown miscreants, leading to clashes between the two groups. The incident reportedly took place near a mosque.

At least 19 shops were damaged in the violence before police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the mob. Later, members of the procession protested outside a local police station demanding action against the miscreants.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged the incident was a result of the state’s ruling Congress party’s “dangerous game of appeasement politics.”

“Hello Chief Minister @siddaramaiah, is Mandya district ever in Pak, Bangla, Afghanistan? Wasn’t this atrocity @INCKarnataka in Badarikoppal of Nagamangala taluk of Mandya district at the time of Ganesha dissolution the result of vote bank politics in the state,” Karnataka BJP posted on X.

“Miscreants pelted stones and created a riot to disallow procession in front of the mosque. Is it the incompetent minister@DrParameshwara who has taken the home department to such a predicament despite stone pelting on the police?” it added.

The Ganpati festival, which began on Sep 7 will conclude on Sep 16 with the grand visarjan (immersion) of Ganesha idols in water bodies amid chants and music.

Meanwhile, warning merciless action against those taking law into their hands, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said the situation in violence-hit Nagamangala town is peaceful, and an inquiry is on.

He said the government will consider giving compensation to those, whose livelihood has been affected due to the incident, as he hit out at the opposition parties for "politicizing" the episode.

"(A police) Inspector has been suspended, as he had slightly altered the given route (of the procession). It is his responsibility. We had told police staff and officials across the state that if any incidents take place in their respective jurisdiction they will be held responsible. As negligence was found on the part of the Inspector, he has been suspended," Parameshwara told reporters.

He said an inquiry is on against the Deputy Superintendent of Police and other officials; senior officials have been asked to submit a report on the "factuals" and, based on it, further action will be taken.

"We have sought for a report after inquiry about the incident that took place. Now the situation is under control. IG (Inspector General of Police) and other senior officials are camped there, and are monitoring the situation to ensure that nothing happens further. Now the situation is peaceful and a peace meeting is being held," the Minister added.

Asked whether violence was pre-planned, Parameshwara said a probe has been ordered and once the report comes, things will be known.

"....I want to make it clear that we will not allow anyone to take law into their hands, whoever it is whether it is Ganesha festival or any other festival if anyone indulges in creating unnecessary confusion or unrest, will not let them and take merciless strict action against them in accordance with law," he added.

(PTI inputs)