Hubli violence: 40 arrested, 12 policemen hurt and Section 144 imposed

As many as 40 persons have been arrested in connection with Hubli violence as stone-pelting incident took place at Old Hubli Police Station where four policemen including one inspector were injured. Section 144 was imposed to stop the mob from further damage.

Hubli (Karnataka): As many as 40 persons have been arrested in connection with a violent incident that erupted following an objectionable post that went viral on social media. Hubballi-Dharward Police Commissioner Labhu Ram on Sunday confirmed the arrests and stated that 12 policemen are injured in the violence."The police have taken control of the situation.

Six cases have been registered in connection with violence, damage to public property and incidents of stone pelting," he said. A separate case had been registered regarding provocative post and one persons has been secured in connection with the incident, he said.The police officers are working on identifying brains behind the incident. Adequate staff from the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) have been deputed to monitor the situation in the city, he explained.

Violence broke out in the midnight on Saturday after an objectionable photo was made viral on social media in Hubballi. Hundreds of people belonging to minority community came onto streets and indulged in violence. Soon, the incident took a communal turn and two groups indulged in stone pelting.Police and public property had been damaged. Hubballi, known as "Chota Mumbai" is a commercial hub of north Karnataka region. The city made headlines in connection with hoisting of national flag on the premises of the Edgah Maidan.

BJP had made it a national issue and organised massive protests then. The city also witnessed large-scale violence. The issue was sorted out with the hoisting of the national flag. Meanwhile, Section 144 has been imposed in Karnataka's Hubli city after a mob pelted stones at the old Hubli police station in which four policemen were injured on Saturday night. The mob which gathered outside the police station suddenly turned violent and started pelting stones at the police station and police vehicles.

In an effort to disperse the mob, the police resorted to lathi-charge but the mob went berserk then police used tear gas shells and dispersed them. There are reports that the mob demanded action against a person who kept objectionable WhatsApp status. There are also reports of protesters pelting stones from nearby Hanuman temple and a hospital.

"A stone-pelting incident took place at Old Hubli Police Station. Four policemen including one inspector injured. Section 144 was imposed in the entire city and the situation is under control," said Police Commissioner Labhu Ram. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway in the matter.

with Agency inputs