The Hindu : Violence in Kollegal taluk

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002

National

National

Violence in Kollegal taluk

By Our Staff Correspondent

Police making a lathicharge to disperse a mob indulging in violence at Kamagere on Monday protesting the killing of the former Karnataka Minister, Nagappa.

Kollegal Dec. 9. Violence in Kollegal taluk in the wake of the death of former Minister, H. Nagappa, took an ugly turn when an unruly mob targeted the Forest Department office at Cowdahalli and took away six guns from the personnel.

The Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Subhash Bharani, told presspersons here today that the incident took place early in the day. It was not clear whether the guns belonged to the Forest Department or they were seized ones. One of the guns was recovered.

Early in the day, the mediapersons were badly beaten up by the unruly mob. The mob tried to strangulate the Udaya TV cameraman, Shivakumar. The Santehmarahalli MLA, A.R. Krishnamurthy, came to the cameraman's rescue and provided first aid.

The MLA sustained bleeding injuries as he received lathi blows from the police while quelling the mob.

This correspondent also sustained injuries when a mob pelted stones. The incident took place at Ajjipura where the crowd had lined up on the road to catch a glimpse of Nagappa's body.

The driver of the ambulance which was carrying the body of Nagappa was thrashed and he was rescued by Nagappa's son-in-law, Kiran Patil. At the Holy Cross Hospital, the police tried to chase the unruly elements but wielded the lathi on the nurses present at the venue.

Senior police officials regretted the violence and said anti-social elements were instigating the people.

Police said that their assessment of the situation was right, and that they were prepared for the eventuality.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National