Govt seeks info on those behind violence

Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said the government has ordered a probe to ascertain the reasons and the people behind the garment workers’ protest turning violent here earlier this week.

The minister held a four-hour-long review meeting with top police officials, including Director General of Police Om Prakash and Bengaluru City Police Commissioner N S Megharikh, at the Vikasa Soudha.

Later, speaking to the media, Parameshwara said the police will also investigate as to why the protest began from Bengaluru while the demands of the garment workers was a nationwide issue. Parameshwara said it was surprising that protesters, who had congregated in thousands, did not have a leader. Thursday’s review meeting also discussed how the police should gear-up to face similar situations in future.

He said the police had booked 42 cases in Bengaluru City and another 12 cases in Bengaluru Rural Division. In all, as many as 249 people have been arrested.

The antecedents of those arrested are being probed. Investigations will also reveal from which factory it all began. “We will also probe who instigated the protesters and whether factory owners were involved,” the minister said.

Initial investigations revealed that messages on the social media were doing the rounds stating that workers would lose their Provident Fund (PF) amount if it is not claimed immediately.

The minister said it was evident that anti-social elements took advantage of the large scale protest by garment workers and created law and order problem.  “Those responsible for the violence will be booked under stringent provisions of the Indian Penal Code. The police have videographic evidence of those indulging in violence,” he said.

Parameshwara said there was no intelligence failure and the police had prior information about the protests.

“The police had shown restrain while dealing with the protesters as a majority of them were women. The agitators had even tried to torch vehicles parked inside the Hebbagodi police station. A large number of LPG cylinders were stored adjacent to the station. If not for the timely intervention of the police, there would have been a huge explosion,” the minister said.

However, he declined to comment on the Karnataka High Court coming down heavily on the police for failing to handle the situation.

He also denied accusation by the BJP that the protests were “politically motivated” and sponsored by the state government to embarrass the Centre.