Prohibitory orders in place in Belagavik
Prohibitory orders were issued in the city and taluk on Saturday following two untoward incidents of vandalism of freedom fighter Sangoli Rayanna’s statue and stone pelting on government vehicles. According to the Police Commissioner’s Office, prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC are in force for Belagavi Police Commissionerate area, which includes Belagavi taluk, from 8 am to 6 pm on December 18.
The incident took place when the city is hosting the winter session of the state legislature at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha. Describing the incidents as “disturbing”, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that he has directed the Home Minister to take strict action against those trying to disturb peace and order, following which some arrests have been made in connection with the incident. .
Speaking to reporters in Hubli, the CM said, “Incidents like stone pelting, damage to public property and government vehicles are illegal, so the police have been directed to take long-term measures so that such incidents do not recur.” Observing that the attitude of defacing or desecrating the statues of national heroes and patriotic leaders was not right, Bommai said such leaders belong to every community and should be respected.
Responding to a question, he said, “Many other factors including the timing of the incident during the assembly session will all be part of the investigation.” Sangoli Rayanna Sena president Shivraj Holimath on Saturday complained to the Tilakwadi police that an idol of Sangoli Rayanna kept in front of his house in Angol in south Belagavi had been damaged.
He has alleged that some unidentified people damaged the statue on Friday night and intensified it on raising noise. According to the police, the statue has been shifted to Tilakwadi police station and a police force has been deployed in the area. Earlier, in an incident in North Belagavi, a crowd gathered near Sambhaji circle around midnight and started shouting slogans and pelting stones at government and police vehicles.
He reportedly resorted to violence after news of the alleged desecration of Shivaji Maharaj’s statue in Bengaluru surfaced. Official sources said that the police intervened and brought the situation under control. Home Minister Araga Gyanendra said the police have been directed to take ruthless action against those involved in such acts, and an FIR has been registered in connection with the incidents and some arrests have been made.
“Police have been asked to see that such incidents do not recur. Both Marathi and Kannada speaking people are living peacefully in Belagavi, but some miscreants are trying to disturb and spoil the atmosphere,” he said. Veterans like Sangoli Rayanna or Shivaji Maharaj should be used for petty politics in the name of any community or language.
Former chief ministers BS Yediyurappa, Siddaramaiah, HD Kumaraswamy, state Congress chief DK Shivakumar among others have condemned the incidents and asked the government and police to take strict action against the miscreants. Most of them have appealed to the people to maintain peace.
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