OdishaPlus Bureau

Three people died and several others were injured in parts of East Bengaluru late on Tuesday night as the result of violent protests against an ‘inflammatory’ social media post. Over 100 rioters have been arrested. Hundreds of members of the Muslim community protested and later went on a rampage following a post allegedly put up by Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy’s nephew.

In a series of tweets, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “I condemn both violent incidents that erupted in Kaval Byrasandra and also the social media post that instigated the mob. I humbly request both Hindus and Muslims of the area to stay calm, maintain peace and live in harmony. I have spoken to the Bengaluru Police Commissioner to immediately arrest all the culprits who were involved in the incident and also those who instigated (the mob). We extend our complete support to the Karnataka govt in establishing peace.”

“Our experience tells us that only innocents suffer in communal riots. I urge leaders from both religions to discuss and resolve the issue amicably and restore peace in the area,” he added.

Around 60 police personnel sustained injuries in violent incidents of stone pelting and attacks by rioters that erupted on Tuesday evening. Police had to resort to firing in order to bring the situation under control. Prohibitory orders have been imposed in the city while curfew was clamped under the jurisdiction of the DJ Halli and KG Halli police stations, which were targets of the violence. He also tweeted that the nephew of the MLA, accused of circulating an offensive Facebook post, has been arrested.

Property of the Congress Legislator from Pulakeshi Nagar constituency, Akhanda Srinivas Murthy, was also attacked and vandalised while several police vehicles were damaged in the violence.

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