Mysuru: Tension was palpable in northeast Mysuru late on Monday night after a mob attacked Udayagiri police station on Mahadevapura Road, following a derogatory social media post. Four police officials sustained injuries, and seven police vehicles were damaged as an irate mob resorted to stone-pelting.
Police have so far filed two FIRs under multiple sections of BNS — one regarding the derogatory social media post and the other over the attack on the police station, unlawful assembly, and obstruction to public servants on duty. A 51-year-old dry fruit vendor has been taken into custody on charges of outraging religious feelings.
Police said the situation was under control on Tuesday.
R Hithendra, the ADGP (Law and Order), rushed to Mysuru and reviewed the situation along with other senior officials. He said preliminary investigation revealed that rumours about the likely release from custody of an accused booked over the derogatory social media post could have led to the attack on the cops, though he cautioned it was too early to draw conclusions.
Commenting on the violence, home minister G Parameshwara said: “Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd as the situation threatened to spiral out of control. Around 200 people came to the police station and demanded that the accused be handed over to them, but police did not oblige. Those who pelted stones are being arrested.”
Deputy commissioner (Traffic and Crime) S Janhavi’s vehicle was among those damaged in the attack. The DCP was on her way to the police station when stones were pelted at her vehicle. Other officers of the rank of assistant commissioner and deputy commissioner were also injured in the attack.
As a precautionary measure, Mahadevapura Road was cordoned off and a police picket was established on Tuesday, even as Udayagiri traders downed their shutters and observed an undeclared bandh. Security was also beefed up in the areas surrounding the police station.
S N Sandesh Kumar, the CCB ACP, is probing the incident, with assistance from the jurisdictional police.
Seema Latkar, the commissioner of police, Mysuru City, told TOI said soon after the mob gathered outside the police station, the cops mobilised multiple teams to take control of the situation and dispersed the crowd and the situation was defused within hours.
INSET
Earlier attack
This is not the first time that Udayagiri police station has come under attack. In 2009, crowds had resorted to stone-pelting, injuring policemen at the station. Later, during a protest at the Fountain Circle near Mysuru Central Jail, senior officers were injured when stones were pelted at cops.
Cases filed:
BNS sections pressed:
126 – wrongful restraint
189 – unlawful assembly
191 – rioting
132 – assault or criminal force to deter public servants from discharge of their duty
118 – voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt
121 – voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servants
110 – attempt to commit culpable homicide
324 – mischief causing damage to public or persons
Provisions under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act 1984, too, were invoked.