Nagamangala incident happened 'on spur of moment', not communal violence: HM

NT Correspondent Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said the clashes between two groups during Ganesha idol immersion procession in Nagamangala town in Mandya district cannot be termed as "communal violence" as he maintained that the incident happened on the "spur of the moment". He said 52 people have been arrested from "both sides", and after reviewing CCTV footage about their involvement in the incidents like stone-pelting and torching of vehicles and properties, cases will be registered against them.

"Yesterday's incident shouldn't have happened. What began as a small incident...it has ended. No major injuries or fights have happened. Police have taken the situation under control. When the procession was on, stones were pelted, it led to some clashes. After that when everything appeared to have been solved and people were dispersing, some torched bikes and shops, and subsequently (police) brought the situation under control," Parameshwara said. Speaking to reporters here, he said no loss of life or any "major problem" has been reported; the Superintendent of Police and Inspector General are at the spot, while a Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) platoon has been deployed.

"I had sent the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Law and Order, he too had visited and is camping at the spot. Everything is under control and there are no further incidents," he added.