120 persons booked for stone pelting, 18 arrested in Kodekal in Karnataka

The clash began when BJP workers objected to Congress workers blowing horns of their vehicles while passing by annual fair of Basavanna Devaru in Kodekal village

Kodekal police registered four cases against 120 persons in connection with stone pelting and clash between Congress and BJP workers in Kodekal in Karnataka on April 6. So far, 18 persons have been arrested.

Karnataka is in the midst of campaigning for Assembly elections on May 10.

The clash occurred when Congress party workers were passing by the annual fair of Basavanna Devaru in the village in their vehicles. The situation turned violent when BJP workers objected to the Congress workers blowing horns of their vehicles in the middle of the fair.

The argument led to stone-pelting in which wind shields and rear windows of 15 vehicles were damaged, and six persons suffered injuries. The injured were shifted to a hospital in Vijayapura.

Superintendent of Police C.B. Vedamurthy imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in Shorapur Assembly constituency, which includes Kodekal in Hunsagi taluk of Yadgir district in Karnataka, from 8 p.m. on April 6 to 8 p.m. on April 8.

“18 persons have been taken into custody. Now, the situation is under control. Three platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and two platoons of paramilitary forces, two Deputy Superintendent of Police, 5 Circle Inspectors, 10 Sub-Inspectors, 100 constables have been deployed in the village to ensure no further clash.” he said. 

Dr Vedamurthy said that police are searching for the other persons involved in the incident.