Bijapur district in-charge Minister M.B. Patil has said the Monday’s violence in the city appeared to be planned and executed by the former Union Minister Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and his supporters to gain political mileage.
After visiting the affected areas and meeting the victims on Tuesday, the Minister held Mr. Yatnal responsible for creating trouble under the pretext of taking out a celebratory procession. “He is trying to create a divide in the district that is known for social harmony and religious tolerance,” Mr. Patil told presspersons.
At a press conference, Inspector-General of Police (Northern Range) Bhaskar Rao described Mr. Yatnal as the prime culprit and said the police were on the look out for him as he was facing non-bailable cognizable offence. He said when the police went to arrest Mr. Yatnal, he was absconding.
Mr. Rao said the police had evidence, including video footage, to prove the role of Mr. Yatnal and his supporters. “He will be arrested if he fails to surrender,” Mr. Rao said.
He said 26 people had been arrested and around 100 were being identified through video footages. They had been charged under 11 sections of the IPC, including creating communal tension, unlawful assembly, destroying public property and beating police officials.
Mr. Patil said the police had been instructed not to arrest or trouble innocent people.
Denying it was a communal violence, Mr. Patil said, “I spoke to office-bearers of most merchants and vendors associations, and none of them believed the violence was communal. All of them want peace to prevail and wished to continue their business like a family,” he said.
He said a decision on compensation to the victims would be taken soon.
Earlier in the day, the Minister visited the vegetable market to assess the situation and restore confidence among people. Vendors, mainly women, poured out their woes to the Minister.
