As policemen from Vemagal station were transporting the robbers, agitated local residents demanded that the suspects be handed over to them. They threw stones at the policemen, forcing them to resort to a lathicharge. Around a dozen people, including some policemen were injured.
A case has been registered against some residents of Padiganahalli. The injured have been admitted to SNR hospital.
A few months ago, residents said, they had caught a man for suspected robbery and handed him over to the police. But rather than taking action, the police let him go, the locals alleged. According to the police, of the four suspects, two were from Tamil Nadu and two from KR Puram in Bangalore. They have recovered many weapons.
(Published 19 July 2011, 17:05 IST)