-Three people lost lives, over 100 arrested
New Delhi: At least three people were killed in India’s IT hub Bangalore after a “derogatory” Facebook post about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) sparked riots and resulted in clashes between police and thousands of protesters, it emerged on Wednesday.
According to Times of India, the violence, that erupted at 7pm on Tuesday, went on for at least five hours. The report added that 110 others had been arrested as of Wednesday morning.
The report stated that the violence erupted after a close relative of a local lawmaker, Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivasamurthy, made a “derogatory” post about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on the social media site. The post has since been deleted.
Reacting to the post, a mob gathered outside the lawmaker’s house and set two cars on fire. Police confirmed that Muzamill Pasha and six others from the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) were also detained for questioning, the publication said. Bangalore Police Commissioner Kamal Pant wrote on Twitter that the lawmaker’s relative had been arrested for the post, along with about 100 others for rioting and arson, and the situation was now under control.
At least 60 officers were injured the previous evening as a furious crowd attacked a police station and set vehicles on fire. Media images showed protesters trying to barge into the police building and shouting slogans outside the politician’s home.–Agencies
