Woman's death: 20 nabbed for arson, violence in Raibag

Nandikurali villagers of Raibag taluk resorted to arson on Wednesday and vandalised the office of North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) located at the Raibag bus stand.

They were enraged over the death of a woman who was among those protesting stone quarrying on Tuesday night. They stoned buses too. Some commuters suffered injuries and were treated in hospitals.

Police caned the unruly mob and arrested over 20 protesters. Others who managed to flee after the arson attempt, have been captured in the act on CC camera, and will be arrested soon police assured.

The villagers were upset by the death of Rehmat Sultani who was allegedly killed in the stone pelting that occurred over the shifting of a stone crusher unit at Nandikurli village.

Police said over 20 villagers from the complainant's side trespassed into the crusher site armed with canes. They attacked the crusher workers who locked themselves up in their rooms to protect themselves.

Superintendent of Police Sudheerkumar Reddy attempted to pacify the unruly mob, but they had to be caned as they did not respond to his requests to maintain peace.

The police, in a statement, maintained that Rehmat Sultani, died because of injuries she suffered after slipping from the steps. "She did not die in the stone pelting SP Reddy said; adding that a postmortem would ascertain the real cause of death.

SP Reddy on Wednesday said that argument ensued between a local family and stone crusher workers that led in stone pelting. "The deceased lady Rehmat, tried to enter one of the rooms when she slipped from the steps and was gravely injured. Video evidence from the spot was available and it will be shown to those interested," the SP Reddy stated.