Clashes in Karnataka as stones thrown during Ganpati procession, cop injured

A clash broke out between Hindu and Muslim communities after stones were thrown during a Ganpati idol immersion procession in Karnataka’s Davanagere on Thursday.
Police said that the clash broke out between both communities when the Ganpati procession was passing through Aralimara Circle, which is near a Muslim-dominated area. Stones were allegedly thrown at the procession when it passed through the area, following which police intervened and halted the procession.
The idol was moved to a safer location and was later immersed after all religious rites were conducted, police said.
A police officer was injured during the incident. Curfew has been imposed in Devanagere, police said, adding that cases will be registered against people from both communities.
A complaint was filed against 20 people from the Muslim community in connection with the incident, by Ajay, 36, who works as a flower decorator. In his complaint, Ajay alleged that 20 people attacked the procession with sticks and stones.
Senior police officer Uma Prashant said, “The situation is under control now. We are trying to find out what triggered the incident. We are yet to ascertain the number of injuries due to the incident.”
Further investigation is on to determine what triggered the clash, he added.