Fresh violence rocks Bangalore

Fresh violence broke out in Bangalore yesterday afternoon with angry mobs going on a rampage in sensitive localities, burning down vehicles and pelting stones at shops and business establishments.

While one private bus was burnt down in Bamboo Bazaar area near communally sensitive Shivajinagar, three autorickshaws were damaged at Ulsoor, where the Sangh Parivar was holding its Virata Hindu Samavesha. Several two-wheelers and four-wheelers were reportedly stoned and damaged in other parts of the City.

Mob violence and stone pelting have also been reported from Bharathi Nagar and Old Madras Road. Tension came to grip many parts of Bangalore after trouble broke out right outside the Hindu Virata Samavesha venue in Ulsoor.

An unspecified number of people have been taken into custody by the police, which has also clamped prohibitory orders under section 144 in the City. Several platoons of reserve police force have been deployed in sensitive areas in addition to the local police in a bid to keep the situation under control.

Stray incidents of arson were also reported from Bharathi Nagar in the City, where police had to use to the baton to disperse youths and prevent them from gathering. Rioters had ransacked the shop of a tailor and made attempts to loot valuables from three other shops.
It may be recalled that at least 50 persons including eight police personnel were injured when a protest demonstration to condemn the execution of ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein turned violent in Bangalore and took a communal turn