Shivamogga violence: Siddu says Muslim marchers pelted with stones

Maqsood Maniyar | NT

Shivamogga / Chitradurga / Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has refused to back down from the narrative over the Eid Milad day violence that took place in Shivamogga on Monday.

He said that when Muslims were taking out an Eid day march on the day, “criminals” pelted stones on them, escalating the violence.

The CM also slammed the BJP which is taking out a “fact-finding mission” on the events, sarcastically asking the saffron party what facts they would find after culprits had been arrested.

He made the remarks before mediapersons during his official visit to Chitradurga. He was referring to the incident that took place in Shivamogga on Monday. Muslim marchers had taken out a procession on the occasion of Eid Milad, the birthday of the Prophet.

They were passing through the Shantinagar-Ragigudda locality when they were pelted with stones. Thereafter, the violence escalated and the minority community members retorted with stone pelting of their own.

Shivamogga police responded by imposing section 144 of the Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which prohibits the assembly of more than four people. The cops also arrested upwards of 60 people and the violence has since come to an end.

“Muslims had taken out a march. Some criminals pelted stones at them,” Siddaramaiah said.

“People who pelted stones have had criminal cases slapped against them, no matter which party they belong to. Be it SFI (Students Federation of India), SDPI (Social Democratic Party of India), BJP or Congress. I have given a clear message (to the police) that spare no one and don’t let anyone take law into their own hands,” he added.

Directing his distaste against the BJP, he asked what they would accomplish with a factfinding mission.

“What was done to find the truth? What is the truth that they are going to find about? Action has been taken against those who pelted stones,” the CM said.

BJP divides, Cong unites: Shivakumar

Deputy CM DK Shivakumar took a similar stand and accused the BJP of trying to divide society.

“Through their factfinding mission, they are trying to divide society while we are uniting people,” he said.

“Those who have breached the law and done wrong have been taught a lesson. It has been impressed upon that they shouldn’t take the law into their own hands, be they Hindu or Muslim. We will protect law and order,” he added.