Mandya: A BJP fact-finding team visited Nagamangala, where tensions flared between two communities during the Ganesh Nimajjan procession, leading to stone-pelting and clashes. The team, led by former Deputy Chief Minister Dr CN Ashwathnarayan, included former ministers Bharati Basavaraj, KC Narayana Gowda, BJP State Secretary Dr. Lakshmi Ashwin Gowda, and retired IPS officer Bhaskar Rao. They gathered information from locals and eyewitnesses to better understand the events that triggered the unrest.
Dr Ashwathnarayan, addressing the media, emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation. “The communal riots in Nagamangala need a deep investigation to uncover the truth. There seems to be a background to this violence, and we must understand its roots and who is behind it,” he said. He raised concerns about two individuals from Kerala being involved in the violence and questioned their motives for being in the area. “The victims deserve compensation, and there needs to be a discussion on who will provide that,” he added, blaming the Congress government for failing to prevent the unrest and engaging in appeasement politics.
Former minister K.C. Narayana Gowda expressed shock at the scale of the violence, stating that such incidents had never occurred in the district before. “This unrest is clearly politically motivated and is likely an aftereffect of the recent elections,” he remarked. Gowda expressed concern over the lasting damage caused by the riots, adding that a detailed report would be submitted to the government to hold it accountable.
During the fact-finding visit on Monday, Bhaskar Rao and his team inspected various shops that had been damaged, including a utensil shop, a provision store, and a mobile store. These shops were situated near the police station, where much of the violence occurred. Members of the Bangalore Bar Association accompanied the team, showing their solidarity with the investigation.
Evidence continues to emerge that suggests the Nagamangala riots were premeditated. CCTV footage captured miscreants setting fire to a utensil shop by pouring petrol inside. The incident occurred around 10:47 p.m. on September 11. The footage also revealed that, in an attempt to destroy evidence, the perpetrators pelted stones at the CCTV cameras while carrying out the arson. This has fueled speculation that the violence was orchestrated and planned well in advance.
Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje echoed these sentiments, blaming the unrest on external forces. “Kerala is behind the Nagamangala riots,” she asserted, further accusing the state government of tying the hands of the Karnataka police. “The police are only following orders from the government, and justice cannot be expected from CM Siddaramaiah and Home Minister Parameshwar,” she said. Karandlaje stressed the need for an NIA investigation, arguing that only through such an investigation would the truth about those instigating the riots come to light.
Leader of Opposition R Ashok stated that it is evident the riots in Nagamangala were premeditated. Speaking in Bengaluru, he mentioned that the investigation into the Nagamangala riots has already concluded. He criticized the ministers of the current government, accusing them of being quick to give a clean chit. He referenced the incident where pro-Pakistan slogans were allegedly shouted in the assembly, asking, “What happened?” He added that the forensic science laboratory report has been released, and the culprits are now in jail.
Ashok questioned the presence of petrol bombs during the Nagamangala riots. “How did the petrol bombs appear? Can they be made instantly? Time is needed to prepare such bombs,” he said, adding that this confirmed the riots were preplanned.
“Do people keep machetes and swords at home all the time? Even if it was a riot, it was clear that the Congress had this in mind,” Ashok remarked, claiming the BJP had been unfairly targeted.
Commenting on Union Minister Kumaraswamy’s relief efforts for the Muslim victims in Nagamangala, Ashok said that alliance leaders will adhere to their party’s ideology. “We value what we have, and we’ve stated the truth based on the information we received. We accused those who came from Kerala of being involved in the act. Kumaraswamy made it clear that we won’t abandon our ideology. It’s an alliance, and we will go along with it. We have no issue with their ideologies,” Ashok emphasized.
Ashok further criticized the Congress government, accusing them of not wanting a proper investigation. He pointed to the way the riot suspects were named, alleging bias. “In the Nagamangala riots, from A1 to A37 are Hindus, and after A37, it’s Muslims. Does this imply that Hindus were responsible for everything?” he asked, targeting the Congress.
In response to Minister Chaluvarayaswamy’s statement denying that pro-Pakistan slogans were shouted, Ashok commented, Congress members are descendants of Satyaharishchandra,” he remarked sarcastically. Referring to previous incidents like the Rameswaram Café explosion and the Mangalore cooker bomb, he expressed his anger, saying, “The Congress is full of cookers.”
Former JD(S) MLA Suresh Gowda has made a statement expressing suspicion of a possible Bangladesh link to the riots.
Concerns have been raised about a connection between Kerala and the banned PFI organization in relation to the Nagamangala riots. Additionally, there is suspicion of a Bangladesh link to this incident. Following the riot, the police department launched an investigation to determine who was responsible. So far, 55 people have been arrested in connection with the incident. Among those arrested are Yusuf and Naseer from Mallapuram, Kerala, who are reportedly associated with the banned group PFI.
It is not just the Kerala-based PFI organization that is being scrutinized. Serious allegations have been made suggesting that individuals who illegally migrated from Bangladesh and settled in Nagamangala taluk may also be involved.
It’s not only people of Kerala origin who are implicated. There are indications that Bangladeshi nationals living illegally in Nagamangala are involved as well. Many people from Bangladesh are reportedly residing unlawfully in farmhouses across various parts of Nagamangala taluk. Gowda said that during his tenure as an MLA, he had informed the police department and the then home minister about this issue, but no action was taken to locate these individuals. He urged the state government to take the investigation of the Nagamangala riot case seriously and hand it over to the NIA, asserting that a full investigation would reveal all the facts.
As the Nagamangala riot case continues to evolve, serious allegations are now surfacing regarding the involvement of Bangladeshis. It remains to be seen whether the state government will take these claims seriously and transfer the investigation to the NIA.
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