Anti-Islam Facebook post sparks rallies in India’s Bangalore; 3 killed by police
Thousands of people have staged protest rallies in India’s southern city of Bangalore following the publication of an offensive social media post about Islam’s Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) by a relative of a local politician.
Angry protesters reportedly attacked police stations as well as the residence of the politician on Tuesday night, according to local media outlets and police authorities.
At least three people were killed and several injured by police gunfire.
“The situation is under control,” Bangalore City Police said in a Twitter post, also confirming the use of live ammunition by police officers to disperse the protesters after using tear gas and batons in the KG Halli and DJ Halli neighborhoods of the city.
Moreover, Police Commissioner Kamal Pant announced the detention of 110 people for alleged involvement in arson, stone throwing, and assault on police.
He also said P. Naveen, who is accused of publishing the anti-Islam post on his Facebook page, has been detained.
Local media reports have cited the suspect as claiming that his Facebook account was hacked.
Meanwhile, police authorities further announced the imposition of a curfew in the area to restrict movement. State Minister R. Ashoka said attacks on police and media would not be tolerated.
“What kind of people attack the police? The media? The local police have been given a free hand to deal with the situation,” he added.
Local TV channels also broadcasted images of crowds gathering outside a police station while clashing with officers and burning several police vehicles.
“We are investigating the issue and will make use of the CCTV footages to see who is behind these violent acts, and will take stringent actions,” said Karnataka State Home Minister Basavraj Bommai in an interview with a local broadcaster.
Furthermore, a senior police official was also cited in the local media as saying that preventive orders were already in force across the city due to the COVID-19 pandemic but decisions would be taken for more stringent restrictions based on the current situation.
The Muslim population of Hindu-majority India has been facing suppression and sometimes outright violence in recent years. The Hindu-nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has revoked the autonomy of the only Muslim-majority region in the country, namely the Indian-administered part of Kashmir.
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