Fresh violence in Bangalore, police clamp probhibitory orders

Bangalore, Jan 21 (UNI) An irate mob indulged in large scale violence in the city today during a 'Shobha Yatra' taken out by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists.

Police resorted to cane charge and later lobbed tear gas shells to control the crowd, which torched three bus and five autorickshaws in the Commercial Street, Bharatinagar and Shivajinagar areas. The mob also indulged in stone pelting. One shop was also gutted in fire.

More than 300 people were arrested on charges of riots and Prohibitory orders were clamped on trouble-torn areas.

One person was seriously injured in the violence and was hospitalised, police added.

City Police Commissioner Neelam Achutha Rao said additional forces were deployed in the three areas and the situation was under control but tense.

Violence had broken out during a procession on January 19 to condemn the hanging of deposed Iraq President Saddam Hussein.

The procession was to culminate in a public meeting organised by former Railway Minister and senior Congress leader C K Jaffer Sharief.

UNI