Mandya (Karnataka): A police inspector has been suspended for dereliction of duty and 55 people have been taken into custody in connection with the violence during a Ganesh idol immersion procession here.
The situation in this town in Mandya district, where clashes broke out between two groups following which mobs went on a rampage targeting several shops and vehicles leading to tension has been brought under control, police said.
Though the situation remains peaceful, additional police forces continued to be deployed in the town, where prohibitory orders have been imposed as a precautionary measure. The 52 people who were initially arrested have been sent to judicial custody for 14 days, police said.
Police Inspector Ashok Kumar posted at Nagamangala town police station was suspended for dereliction of duty in connection with the clashes that broke out during the procession, Mandya Superintendent of Police, Mallikarjun Baldandi said.
According to police, an argument broke out between two groups, when the Ganesh idol procession from Badarikoppalu village reached a place of worship, and some miscreants hurled stones, which escalated the situation.
