No substantial evidence to call Bengaluru violence communal: Report

A fact finding committee comprising of members from civil society organisations in its report said that there was lack of substantial evidence to call the violence in Bengaluru in August this year communal, premeditated or pre-planned.

Bengaluru (Karnataka): A fact-finding committee in its report said that there was no substantial evidence to call the August violence in Bengaluru communal.

In its report, the fact finding committee comprising of members from civil society organisations, said, "There is a lack of substantial evidence to suggest that the mob violence was communal in nature, in that it specifically targeted Hindu community or that it was premeditated and pre-planned."

The report further recommended an immediate socio-economic survey in the areas to assess the loss of livelihoods, nutrition, health and shelter.

Pertinently, this report differs the findings od another fact finding report which called the incident "communally motivated".

The Citizens for Democracy in its fact finding report submitted to Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa earlier this month said that the riots in Bengaluru were "pre-planned and organised" and it was "undoubtedly communally motivated."

It said the mob during the riots on August 11 night had specifically targeted certain prominent Hindus in the area, and the entire incident qualifies to be a "riot against the state" with the motive of "reducing the faith of common people in the state".

Read:DJ Halli violence: CSOs appeal Bengaluru police to widen probe

The violence in D J Halli and adjoining areas on August 11 night was unleashed by hundreds of people over an inflammatory social media post allegedly put out by P Naveen, a relative of Pulakeshinagar Congress MLA R Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy.

The MLAs residence and a police station at D J Halli were torched by rioters who also set many police and private vehicles afire, and looted the belongings of the legislator and his sister.

More than 300 people have been arrested in connection with the violence and investigation is on.

(With inputs from agencies)