Police arrests four in Karnataka for throwing footwear at religious place

BALLARI:  Intending to incite a communal clash during a Ganesha idol immersion procession, A group of miscreants threw footwear at a mosque in Siruguppa of Ballari district on Saturday night during a Ganesha immersion procession. Soon after the video went viral on social media, the police nabbed four youth and registered a case.

The police are strictly monitoring social media sites and have asked people not to share provocative videos. The video shows the procession moving slowly and when it reaches the mosque, the police surround the procession to control the mob.

Suddenly, a youth throws a footwear at the mosque. The video has been recorded by some locals. Additional Director General of Police Alok Kumar tweeted: “We have secured the accused persons. Appropriate legal action is being taken against them”. Ballari Superintendent of Police Saidulu Adavath confirmed the incident.

The arrested are Nitesh Kumar (22), who threw the footwear, and his friends Bhimanna (23), Ashok (22) and Anjeneyalu (21). “Based on the video footage, Siruguppa town police immediately arrested four youths. A case has been registered in the town police station.

The situation is completely under control and we are keeping an eye on social media posts. If any violence and communal clash-related posts are shared on social media, we will take strict action,” he added.