Police in Bengaluru have detained three minor boys in connection with a disturbing stone-pelting incident targeting devotees of Om Shakti. The attack occurred on Sunday night in the VS Garden area of JJ Nagar, disrupting a religious procession and injuring a young woman.
Attack on Religious Procession Sparks Outrage
The incident unfolded around 8:15 PM near the Panchamukhi Nagatevatha temple. According to the police, a group of 20 devotees was taking out a procession to offer prayers to the 'grama devatas' (village deities). Suddenly, three or four boys began pelting stones at the participants.
The assault resulted in a head injury to Harika, a 20-year-old woman. The attack prompted immediate anger among the devotees, who staged a protest at the spot demanding swift action against the culprits.
Police Investigation and Juvenile Detainees
Based on a complaint filed by Shashi Kumar N, a 43-year-old resident of VS Garden, an FIR was registered at the JJ Nagar police station. The case has been filed under serious charges, including sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The specific BNS sections invoked are 118 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous means) and 196(2) (promoting enmity between different groups). Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Yatish N confirmed that preliminary investigation led to the detention of three juvenile boys.
Police revealed that two of the boys are 13 years old and study in class 7, while the third boy is 14, a school dropout who worked as a labourer in a garage. The boys have been produced before the Juvenile Justice Board.
An officer involved in the probe stated that the boys claimed they were provoked. They alleged that some devotees from the procession ordered them to leave the area until the event was over, which led them to retaliate by throwing stones. Further investigation is ongoing to determine if others were involved.
Community Reaction and Political Response
The news of the attack spread rapidly after complainant Shashi Kumar alerted others via WhatsApp. This led to a significant gathering, with an estimated 300-400 people from JJ Nagar, Chamarajpet, Vijayanagar, and nearby areas converging at VS Garden to protest.
Police had to deploy additional forces and initiate talks with local community leaders to control the situation and prevent tensions from escalating. The agitated crowd eventually dispersed around midnight. However, protests resumed on Monday morning as devotees gathered in front of the JJ Nagar police station, reiterating their demand for justice.
The incident drew responses from senior political figures. Home Minister G Parameshwara appealed to the public to maintain peace and communal harmony. Additionally, Minister and Chamarajpet MLA BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan visited the affected area to assess the situation firsthand.
The case highlights concerns over communal sensitivities and juvenile delinquency in the city. Authorities continue their probe to ensure all aspects of the incident are thoroughly examined.
