The Aryavarth Express
Bengaluru: A stone-pelting incident was reported on Sunday night during a religious procession near the Panchamukhi Nagadevata Temple in Bengaluru, leaving a young girl injured. Police have registered an FIR in connection with the incident.
According to the complaint filed by Shashikumar N, a resident of VS Garden, the incident occurred on January 4 between 8:15 pm and 9 pm, when a large number of devotees were participating in a religious procession with a chariot heading towards the temple. The complainant stated that he has been associated with religious worship in the area for over two decades.
The complaint alleged that three to four unidentified youths pelted stones at the chariot during the procession. One of the stones reportedly struck a girl on the head, causing injuries. She was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
The complainant further claimed that similar incidents have taken place earlier during religious ceremonies in the same locality, with two or three such episodes allegedly reported in the past. Devotees have expressed concern that repeated disruptions during religious events are creating an atmosphere of fear among worshippers.
The complaint also raised concerns about broader social issues in the area, alleging incidents of atrocities against Dalits, who form a significant portion of the local population. Devotees from Om Shakti and Ayyappa Swamy groups have urged the authorities to take strict legal action against those allegedly involved in hurting religious sentiments and deliberately disrupting religious activities.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Karnataka Police on Friday seized five guns allegedly used during violence in Ballari on January 2. Karnataka ADGP (Law and Order) R Hithendra said the weapons were seized from five private gunmen at the site. A suo motu case has been registered, and an internal inquiry is underway. The seized firearms will be sent for forensic examination to determine from which weapon a bullet was fired, he added.
