Peaceful Eid-ul-Adha celebrations in violence-hit Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Sep 13: Curfew in 16 sensitive police station limits, increased precautionary action and more effective policing has seen Bengaluru remain peaceful up to noon on Tuesday, a day after tens of vehicles were torched, properties destroyed and one person lost his life after the security agencies had opened fire.

Notwithstanding the impending tension over Cauvery dispute, the muslim community came out to attend prayers as part of Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid), and the agencies ensured an incident-free event in the city.

Almost all the mosques conducted prayers as any other day, including the Eidgah Maidan in Chamarajpet, where one of the largest congregations happen.

The clergy advised people to return home soon after the prayers and not to indulge in any activities on the roads through an announcement in most mosques.

On the other hand the tense Mysuru Road stretch remained deserted—although normal life was affected no untoward incidents were reported—just like other areas that saw some tension on Monday.

Several residential areas also had shops opened, even if it was for a brief while allowing citizens to replenish their supplies, as most of Bengaluru continued to stay indoors. Vehicles, far and few, were found on the roads with even auto rickshaws plying with caution and at a premium.

Clamp Down Post Firing

In Hegganahalli, where the agencies had opened firing on Monday evening killing a person identified as Umesh, the cops employed tear gas to disperse a crowd. Following that, the police did a combing operation in the bylanes of Hegganahalli based on intelligence tip offs. DCP Northeast PS Harsha said that at least 30 people have been "picked up for questioning."

Tear gas was also used in Nagarabhavi more than once as the crowd gathered refused to disperse. "The curfew will continue to be in place, and we request people to co-operate," the police has said.

Also, the government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to Umesh's—the person dead after firing—amid unconfirmed reports that he was not involved in any rioting or attacking of the police vehicles, which was said to have triggered the firing.

Most public places remained shut. Metro services did not resume, although buses operated on select routes.