CID probe ordered into Chintamani group clash case

The deputy chief minister R Ashoka on Tuesday ordered Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe in to the group clash incident in Chintamani taluk Chikkaballapur district during September 2012.

A night patrol constable had died in the clash which occurred during the immersion of a Ganesha idol.

Home Minister Ashoka made this statement in the Legislative Council on Tuesday while replying to a query by Naseer Ahmed of Congress. As many as 55 persons were arrested in relation to the case and three police officials were also suspended for their alleged failure to curb the clash, he said.

On September 23, 2012 the clash erupted when few people posed problems to the route taken out by the Ganesha procession in Chintamani. The clash led to stone pelting by both the groups, ultimately resulting in the death of constable Sudhakara Reddy, 49, who was deployed there to control the situation.

Naseer alleged that the Chintamani police have committed atrocities against a section of the minority community in the name of arresting culprits responsible for the group clash. Many children, women and senior citizens belonging to the community were injured as police barged in to their house during midnight and were beaten up in violation of human rights, he said.

However, Ashoka said there has been no discrimination against anyone during investigation of the case. “There has been no role of caste or religion here. Arrested persons include both Hindus and Muslims. The action against police officials pertains to their lapses in performing departmental duties and there has been no atrocities as such,” he said.