Vandalism in Old Hubballi after rally

An angry crowd indulged in vandalism in Old Hubballi area on Monday during a protest rally organised by Muslims to condemn an offensive remark against Prophet Muhammad.

The remark was reportedly made by Kamlesh Tiwari, who is said to be associated with Hindu Mahasabha in Uttar Pradesh, earlier this month.

The protest, held at Heggeri grounds, was organised by Sunni Students’ Federation and other Muslim groups. Hundreds of protesters burnt the effigy of Tiwari at the Indi Pump Circle and demanded death for him. They then moved towards New English School Circle.

Some miscreants, however, took to violence en route, throwing stones at five NWKRTC buses, four cars and a police jeep. They also stoned two ATM kiosks and three shops. A policeman and a shopkeeper were injured, too.

To contain the situation, police caned four groups of people near English Medium School, Mastan Sofa, Diwan Chacha Dargah and Byali Oni. They detained 17 people and registered cases against them at Old Hubballi and Kasabapet police stations.

Police Commissioner Pandurang Rane, DCP Jinendra Khanagavi, ACP Somalingappa Chabbi and other police officers led the efforts to disperse the crowd. Rane insisted that caning was necessary to contain the situation and that sufficient police personnel were deployed to avert more untoward incidents. “More miscreants will be taken into custody, and those who made provocative speech at the protest will be booked, too,” he said.

Pro-Hindu organisations later staged a protest, too, alleging that the banner of a temple was damaged by the miscreants.