Bangalore East burns again-Bangalore-Cities-NEWS-The Times of India

BANGALORE: In a bitter sequel to the riots on Friday, localities in Bangalore East witnessed another round of mob fury on Sunday as miscreants attacked shops and torched vehicles, while a 11-year-old boy died and five sustained bullet injuries in police firing.

Curfew has been clamped on Bharatinagar, T G Halli, K G Halli, Commercial Street, Frazer Town and all areas coming under Ulsoor police station limits till 7 am on Monday.

Trouble broke out when members of Hindu community apparently retaliated to Friday's arson triggered by Muslims during a rally to condemn Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's hanging. Scores of volunteers from different parts of East Bangalore marched towards the Viraat Hindu Samajotsava meeting at Ulsoor.

A procession which began from Nagawara reached Tannery Road by 2 pm and the police diverted it to Frazer Town. When the procession hit Kamraj Road-St John's Church Road intersection near Tom's Cafe, rumours about Muthyalamma Temple on Seppings Road being attacked broke out.

This resulted in a group charging towards Seppings Road, the epi-centre of violence since Friday. Trouble makers hurled stones, acid and petrol bombs in the narrow bylanes.

In retaliation, several Muslim congregated in a large number near Shivajinagar police station. They charged towards Russell Market and Seppings road armed with swords and daggers.

Policeman stabbed The mob stabbed a policeman identified as Thimmaiah in his neck. The police opened fire on the mob on Sultan G Gunta road near the new market located behind Russel Market, killing a boy.

Policemen were attacked with petrol bombs near Thimmaiah Road tea corner. Over 10 policemen have sustained injuries. Police opened fire at the Thimmaiah Road junction.

About five people have sustained injuries in the two separate firings. Overall, more than 60 people sustained injuries, over a dozen vehicles including three BMTC buses were torched, several two-wheelers, and hundreds of shops damaged, nearly 30 houses looted, five chicken shops and 15 houses burnt, and places of worship stoned.

Police clamped prohibitory orders after groups of youngsters carrying swords got into action. The Rapid Action Force was summoned, teargas shells lobbed at Seppings Road, Thimmaiah Road, Kamaraj Road, Nehrupuram and surrounding areas.

Mobs torched buses near Bamboo Bazaar, threw stones at passing vehicles on Shivanna Chetty Garden Road, Gangadhar Chetty Road, Kamraj Road, RBANMS grounds, St John's Road and neighbouring areas. This prompted police to fire teargas shells.

Autos, two-wheeller targeted By late evening, police took control of the troubled areas which continued to remain tense.

Autorickshaw and twowheeler riders were the worst victims of violence.Over six autos were burnt. On Gangadhar Chetty Road, an autorickshaw driver was pulled out of his vehicle and was hit on his head by wooden clubs.

The seriously injured driver was taken to hospital. According to eye-witnesses, protesters stopped autos, enquire about the driver's community and then assault him.

At Shree Circle near Naga theatre, the police resorted to lathi charge as hundreds of processionists gathered and began damaging vehicles.

All buses travelling towards Shivajinagar were diverted. Frazer Town, Cox Town, Cooke Town, Richards Town, Ulsoor, Banaswadi, Tannery Road and other areas in the east Bangalore were tense from afternoon, as youngsters wearing saffron bandanas went around mobilising people for the rally.

In the afternoon, an angry mob tried to attack former Union minister C K Jaffer Sheriff 's house on Wheeler Road holding him responsible for the Friday's rally.

But, a large number of policemen present there chased them away. Another group barged into the up-market Commercial Street and tried to go on the rampage, but the police nipped them in the bud.

Some people set fire to five shops selling chicken behind Adarsh theatre. Two houses in Ulsoor's Bovi colony and a meat stall located behind the Hindu rally were also burnt.