Siddarth Sethia
Bengaluru Police on Wednesday detained several Congress workers after they gathered outside the BJP’s state headquarters in Malleswaram and allegedly attempted to stage a protest in violation of restrictions imposed under High Court directions.
According to police,the Congress workers assembled to protest against the alleged NEET irregularities,the recent police lathi-charge on protesters at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi,and the detention of Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders.
The protesters held placards,raised slogans and allegedly attempted to lay siege to the BJP office.
Police intervened and took the demonstrators into preventive detention,citing High Court orders that permit public protests only at the designated protest venue, Freedom Park.
Security was tightened in and around the BJP headquarters,with barricades erected to prevent any breach of law and order.
Meanwhile,BJP leaders led by Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok staged a counter-protest in front of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office on Queen’s Road.
Police also detained Ashok and other BJP workers, stating that the demonstration violated the same High Court restrictions on public protests.
They were taken to High Grounds Police Station and were later released.
Following his release,Ashok submitted a petition to the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner alleging that Congress workers attacked BJP leaders during the protest.
He claimed that eggs,iron rods and clubs were used in the assault and alleged that even the police bus carrying detained BJP workers to the police station was targeted.
In his complaint,Ashok sought a detailed investigation into the incident and demanded strict action against those responsible.
Police have not yet officially confirmed the allegations of assault made by the BJP leader.The situation remained under control following the preventive detentions, with heavy police deployment continuing in the area.
