Peace meeting held in Bagalkot on Saturday after protest on Friday night

In Bagalkot, where residents staged protest on Friday night over the arrest of Hindutva activists, a conciliation peace meeting was held on Saturday in which P.C. Gaddigoudar, MP, former MLA Viranna Charantimath, senior police officials and residents of Killa Galli took part and it was resolved to maintain peace.

Speaking to presspersons after the meeting, Mr. Charantimath said that problems would erupt if the police resorted to arrest suddenly and so they had been appealed to not resort to such moves, especially at a time when Holi festival and Hindu conventions were coming.

He said that the police had promised that no arrests would be made, but they were under pressure from those in the government.

Speaking at the peace meeting at Ambiger Oni in Killa locality, Superintendent of Police Siddharth Goel emphasised that restoration of peace was their priority and innocents would not face any problem. Already cases had been registered and investigation was on. Any action would be taken based on evidence, he said.

At the meeting, Mr. Charantimath demanded that none should be arrested till Holi festival was over and if provided evidence, he himself would take them to the police. Mr. Gaddigoudar too aired the same view and assured the public that none would be arrested before the festival.

Meanwhile, residents told to the Superintendent of Police that their children were not part of any violence and appealed to him to spare them.

Only accused being arrested

In a related development, district in-charge Minister R.B. Thimmapur told presspersons in Bagalkot on Saturday that only those who were found involved in violence were being arrested.

He clarified that the government could only give directions, but ultimately the police would act based on videos and other evidence. He also said that if women had faced any problem from the police, then those involved would face action.

Protest

On Friday night, the situation turned tense at Killa locality after family members of Hindutva activists staged a snap protest, alleging that the police were arresting innocent persons.

Consequently, Mr. Charantimath and P.H. Pujar, MLC, rushed to the spot before whom the residents aired their grievances. After Mr. Charantimath assured them that none would be arrested and told police not indulge any such move which would disturb peace ahead of Holi and Id-ul-Fitr.