BJP Accuses Karnataka Police Of 'Arresting' Ganapati — All You Need To Know

Tensions in Nagamangala, Mandya district, Karnataka, are on the rise after a Ganapati procession was attacked by a group of miscreants recently.

The violence started after stones were hurled at the procession allegedly from near a mosque. As a result, six shops were set on fire and Section 144 was imposed until midnight on 14 September.

A holiday for schools and colleges was declared, while the police continued detaining several individuals late at night on Wednesday and in the early hours of Thursday.

On 13 September, Friday, Mandya police allegedly 'arrested' a Ganesh idol, sparking outrage among Hindu communities in the region. The image has been widely circulated and shared by many leaders belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While the media and the police are yet to verify the claims, the images, however, have gone viral on social media, sparking outrage against the Congress government in the state.

The procession, which took place on September 12, was reportedly disrupted by a violent mob that attacked several homes, shops and vehicles.

The damaged shops included a utensil store and a bangle shop. Items worth several lakhs, including decorative goods, were destroyed, engulfing the town in smoke, The New Indian Express reported.

Among the hardest hit was a textile merchant, whose shop valued at Rs 1.5 crore was entirely burned down. Moreover, 13 small establishments were damaged in the ruckus.

Police intervened and tried to disperse the crowd. Due to the large number of people, the police had to resort to lathi-charge to control the situation. Following that, people protested in front of the police station.