A motorist rides past charred remains of a car, a day after it was burnt by an angry mob, in Bengaluru, Tuesday. Photo: APBengaluru: A day after a person was killed and another injured in police firing in Bengaluru in protests over Cauvery water sharing with Tamil Nadu, another protester succumbed to his injuries in the city Tuesday.
The 27-year-old man was injured while running away from lathicharge by police in Bengaluru, reports said. The youth fell off a building when he and other protesters were chased away by the police.
Uneasy calm prevailed in Bengaluru Tuesday, where curfew is in force in 16 sensitive localities.
"We have, however, relaxed curfew in many areas for Muslims to offer prayers on Eid at mosques and in open grounds," a police official told IANS.
Bengaluru remains shut
Though schools, colleges, government and private offices and banks have holiday for Eid fest, several IT firms and back offices, which are working, advised their employees to work from homes in view of the simmering tension across the city.
Shops, markets, malls, hotels, eateries and commercial establishments are observing an undeclared shutdown across the city due to fear of being attacked by protesters.
Though most of the vehicles have kept off the roads, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) resumed its services.
Taxis and three-wheeler auto-rickshaws are also off the roads, while metro rail service has been suspended till late evening.
Hundreds of passengers alighting at railway stations in the city and at the airport on the outskirts had a tough time in reaching homes or workplaces in the absence of taxis, autos and buses.
A Rapid Action Force platoon staged a flag-march in the city's north-west suburb to instil confidence in the people that the situation is under control.
City is calm, say police
The Bengaluru police wrote on its Twitter account the situation is 'totally calm' in the city.
“Strict action will be taken against vandals/miscreants,” the police added.
“Public are requested to use Karnataka Police Help Line 18004250100 or 155365 for any emergency/assistance/help @CPBlr,” the police wrote in another tweet.
Police also posted a video of Eid prayers being held peacefully at a mosque in the city.
The police also asked people to share videos and photos of violence in the city with them so that the force can take action against the culprits.
As Bengaluru witnessed widespread violence bringing it on the edge, night curfew was imposed in 16 police station limits late Monday night.
Police said Rajgopal Nagar, Kamakshipalya, Vijaynagar, Byatarayanpura Kengeri, Magadi Road, Rajajinagar, RR Nagara, KP Agrahara Chandra layout, Yeshwanathapura, Mahalakshmi layout, Peenya, RMC Yard, Nandini Layout and Jnanabharathi are under curfew.
The police asked people not to believe WhatsApp messages blindly and urged citizens not to spread rumors.
One person - Umesh, 25, died when police fired to disperse a mob attempting to torch a patrolling vehicle after ransacking a provision shop in the city's northern suburb, said police.
Though police initially resorted to caning and lobbing tear gas shells to prevent the enraged mob of about 50 people from turning violent, 12 rounds were fired by a platoon of the Karnataka State Reserved Police to disperse it from the troubled spot.
According to preliminary inquiry, the victim, working at a petrol retail outlet, was unfortunately present at the spot where the mob gathered.
Umesh hailed from Kunigal in Tumakuru district, about 70km from Bengaluru.
Setback for Keralites in Onam season
"We have imposed curfew for three days from early Tuesday in the city's north-west, south-west, north east and central areas to maintain peace and prevent untoward incidents during the festival week," Bengaluru police commissioner N.S. Megharikh told the media.
Onam festival for Malayalis on Wednesday and immersion of idols of Hindu god Ganesha on the 10th day of the festival falls on Thursday.
"We have also issued a ban order under section 144 of the CrPC across the city to prevent assembling of more than five persons in public places and populated areas and maintain law and order," asserted Megharikh.
As violence broke out sending a wave of panic across Bengaluru, the city was brought under prohibitory orders till September 14.
A prominent transport company depot in the city bore the brunt with at least 30 buses going up in flames.
Managing Director of Salem headquartered KPN Tours and Travels Limited Rajesh Natarajan claimed in Chennai 40 of his buses were set on fire.
(With agency inputs)
