Yeddyurappa appeals citizens not to be swayed by rumours

Bangalore, Mar 2 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday appealed the citizens not to be swayed away by rumours following the violent protests and clashes that broke out in Shimoga and Hassan towns over the publication of an article written by controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen.

The incident took place when some organisations raised objections to the article on burqa tradition reportedly written by Nasreen in a Kannada newspaper named 'Kannada Prabha'.

Yeddyurappa assured Muslims in the state that immediate legal action would be taken against the culprits.

"It has come to our knowledge that a derogatory article has been published against the holy preachings and traditions of Islam. On behalf of the state government, I assure the Muslim brothers that we will immediately take legal action," said Yeddyurappa.

"I also appeal to the Muslim brothers in particular and people of Karnataka in general not to get swayed by the rumours," he added.

At least two people died and several others were injured when police opened fire to control a violent mob protesting against Taslima Nasreen in Karnataka's Shimoga district on Monday evening.

Taslima Nasreen has refused that she wrote the article for the newspaper and said that it was an attempt to malign her.

The procession turned violent when a mob stoned at least 20 vehicles, including eight state transport corporation buses.

Twelve two wheelers and an auto were also damaged.

Incidents of petrol bomb throwing were also reported from different parts of Shimaga and Hassan.

Shimoga is the hometown of Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurapa.

A night curfew was imposed in four police station areas in the city.

The state Home Department has issued alert notice and imposed Section 144 (It is a section of Code of Criminal Procedure, which prohibits assembly of five or more persons, holding of public meetings, and carrying of firearms and can be invoked for up to two months) in the cities as a precaution.

Opposition party leader Sidharamayya had raised the matter in the Vidhan Sabha.State Law Minister Suresh Kumar assured the House the Government would make a detailed statement today. (ANI)