SIT will probe Bengaluru riots; man with Al Hind link held

BENGALURU: Chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday announced a special investigation team (SIT) will probe the August 11 east Bengaluru violence in which four persons died in police firing. In a tweet, the CM said a team of three special prosecutors will be appointed for the speedy trial of the cases and the SIT will consider invoking Goonda Act if warranted.
The Central Crime Branch probing the violence invoked sections of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against the accused. CCB sleuths have also detained a resident of KG Halli, Samiuddin, who was reportedly in touch with the accused in RSS worker Rudresh’s murder and members of Islamist terrorist outfit Al Hind. Police said as of Monday, 65 cases have been registered in the violence and in all, 346 people have been arrested.
A review of the FIRs shows that police fired 180 rounds, including 93 rubber bullets, on the night of August 11, most of these in the air, to quell the rioting mobs. Of the four people killed on the night, three died in firing while one died of injuries inflicted by a tear gas shell.
City police commissioner Kamal Pant on Monday extended the prohibitory orders clamped under section 144 in KG Halli and DJ Halli till the morning of August 21.