Bengaluru, Feb 20 (NationPress) A fresh stone-pelting incident took place in Bagalkot city of Karnataka on Friday, despite the enforcement of prohibitory orders, compelling the police to use a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd.

Initial reports suggest that a group targeted butcher and meat shops in the city and suddenly began throwing stones. In light of the escalating tension, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged for calm and denounced the violence.

It’s important to note that prohibitory orders had been enacted in Bagalkot following unrest sparked by a stone-pelting incident during the Shivaji Jayanti procession.

The situation unfolded in the Killa Oni area as the procession passed a mosque. Consequently, police imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the localities of Old Bagalkot, Navanagar, and Vidyagiri.

These restrictions will remain effective until midnight on December 24.

Hindu activists called for the closure of shops and establishments to protest against the violence. Reports indicated confrontations between activists and police in some areas.

Superintendent of Police Siddharth Goyal led the police in efforts to restore order.

BJP Rajya Sabha Member Narayansa Bandage, who was present at the meeting of Hindu activists, urged the crowd to refrain from violence and return home.

In response to the incident, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed on X, "The recent stone-pelting in Bagalkot poses a threat to social peace and harmony. I, along with our government, firmly condemn this act. Discussions have taken place with senior police officials to ensure a fair investigation and that those responsible face strict legal repercussions."

Several suspects have already been apprehended for questioning. The Chief Minister emphasized that punishment for those involved is inevitable.

Ensuring a secure and peaceful environment for the state's citizens is our utmost priority. We will not tolerate any individual or groups that disrupt public peace and harmony, he stated.

"I urge the public to resist provocation and maintain composure. The police will perform their duties fairly," he added.

State Excise Minister R.B. Timmapur, who also serves as the District In-Charge Minister for Bagalkot, confirmed reports that two individuals were responsible for the stone-pelting, which injured police officers rather than civilians.

"I stand with the SP and the Deputy Commissioner. We are ensuring that no one is harmed due to this incident, and that appropriate measures are taken," he stated.

He further noted that officers are on high alert and will take necessary actions. "This situation is unfortunate, and we will address it. Officers informed me that there seems to be an attempt to incite communal tensions. Based on current information, the stone-pelting appears to have occurred within this context. I have requested a detailed report,” Minister Timmapur remarked.

"We must coexist peacefully. People of all faiths in this nation should live harmoniously," he stated.

However, Opposition Leader R. Ashoka remarked, "There is an increasing sense of suspicion among the populace that Hindu practices are being undermined under the governance of the anti-Hindu Congress administration."

"Incidents of stone pelting during Ganesh processions, towards Hanuma Mala devotees, disruptions of Navaratri processions, and objections against Ayyappa Mala devotees have been reported. Now, radical elements have attacked the Shivaji procession in Bagalkot," he noted.

"Has the anti-Hindu Siddaramaiah government created a 'stone-pelting department' to reward communal miscreants?" Ashoka questioned.

"Is Home Minister G. Parameshwara aware of the Bagalkot incident, or is it still a case of being 'unaware'?" Ashoka inquired.