Bagalkot: Stones thrown at Shivaji Jayanti procession, meat shops; situation under control

Tension prevailed in Bagalkot new town after two rounds of stone pelting on February 19 night and February 20 morning. Heavy police security arrangements have been made in the city and the situation is under control.

According to the police, the first round of stone pelting occurred when the Shivaji Jayanti procession was moving through the old city at night. The second round was when some stones were thrown on meat shops in Killa Oni area on February 20 morning. A vegetable vendor complained to the police that she suffered losses as miscreants set fire to her cart.

Members of the general public or any organisation were not injured in the stone pelting in Bagalkot on February 19 night, Bagalkot police clarified on February 20.

The two stones that were thrown hit Superintendent of Police Siddarth Goel and another police officer on February 19 night, the police said.

“However, we got only minor scratches and no major injuries. Both of us continued to serve till the end of the Shivaji Jayanti procession,” Mr. Goel told reporters.

He dismissed as baseless some reports stating that communal elements had conspired to throw stones at the procession or that some persons were moving around with rods to provoke violence.

He said the incident was unrelated to the late-night Ramzan prayers organised at the nearby mosque.

“I think the stones were thrown by one or two miscreants. We have enough clues, including CCTV footage. Our officers are investigating the matter and we are sure of tracing and arresting the accused in a few hours,” he said. The police have picked up some persons for questioning, though it seems one person was involved in the incident, the Superintendent of Police said.

Chetan Singh Rathore, Inspector-General of Police, Northern Range, visited the spot and spoke to some residents. He is camping in Bagalkot.