3 Killed in Police Firing in Bengaluru amid Violence over FB Post

Three persons died and 60 police officers were wounded in Bengaluru as violence broke out in the eastern part of the city on Tuesday night over a Facebook message allegedly shared by a supporter of the Congress MLA. The individual who allegedly posted the message was detained. 110 people were arrested for abuse, stone-throwing and attack on police officers, says NDTV.

Protesters set many vehicles on fire and surrounded MLA Srinivas Murthy's house in the city.

The police used lathi-charge, tear gas and firing to disperse the violent crowd.

"DG Halli and KG Halli saw violent incidents. To bring this under control, police used lathi charge, tear gas and firing. Police Commissioner went to the spot. Police bandobast is in place. Strict action will be taken against those offenders," the Bengaluru police posted on Twitter.

At least one reporter was wounded after being shot by the police whilst reporting the case.

The MLA issued a video that spoke to citizens to keep unity.

Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai has issued a video message stating that people could not take the law into their own hands.

He denounced the arson and burglary incidents and said that additional police powers had been deployed to the city.

He said the police had been granted a free hand to get the crisis under control.

Meanwhile, senior Congress member Dinesh Gundu Rao also appealed to citizens not to take the law into their own.