The incident occurred at 11 pm when Gowda was about to leave after attending a Ganesha idol immersion programme. Even as a group of youth was conversing with the MLA, stones were thrown at the him by another group.
While the first stone damaged the glass panes of an autorickshaw, the second one hit the MLA on the right side of his head. The MLA, who started bleeding profusely, collapsed on the spot.
Gowda was administered first aid and the injury sutured at a local hospital, before being taken to Manipal Hospital in Bangalore for further treatment.
Santosh, who was about to throw stones and eggs at the MLA, was caught by the people and handed over to the police. Gowda’s bodyguard and Roja, a young girl, were also injured in the stone-throwing incident.
Protest
Meanwhile, Congress leaders and workers held roadblock protests and set tyres on fire at many places in the taluk, protesting the attack on the MLA.
They took out a procession from BGS Circle in T B Layout to T Mariyappa Circle where they formed a human chain. The protest was withdrawn after Deputy Superintendent of Police, Chennabasavanna, promised the protesters that the guilty would be brought to book.
Zilla Panchayat member Huchegowda told reporters that a bundh would be observed in the taluk on Friday, if the culprits are not apprehended and punished.
