Shivamogga/Mandya: Following violent clashes and counterattacks between political workers in Shivamogga, police have registered separate suo motu cases against leaders and supporters of both BJP and Congress at two different police stations.The violence broke out on Thursday over NEET issues, when a group allegedly vandalised the BJP district office on Deendayal Road, leading sub-inspector Manjunath NK of the Doddapet police station to register an FIR against Congress leaders for rioting, damaging public property and obstructing govt officials on duty.Sub-inspector KN Halli of the Jayanagara police station booked BJP leaders on charges of targeting the Congress office on Indira Gandhi Road, where egg-pelting and tearing of promotional banners were reported.Both cases have been registered under sections 189(2), 191(2), 132, 324(4) and 190 of BNS 2023, citing charges of unlawful assembly, breach of public peace, destruction of public property and interfering with police personnel in the execution of their official duties as authorities work to restore order in the city, according to Shivamogga SP B Nikhil.Meanwhile, Shivamogga MLA SN Channabasappa criticised the police handling of security and barricading outside the BJP office in Shivamogga, accusing the ruling party of attempting to create tension while maintaining that the BJP operates strictly within legal bounds. He demanded that the state govt and the home minister provide a clear explanation regarding police actions and security lapses.BJP’s counterprotestA day after the Congress organised a protest over the alleged NEET question paper scam, BJP on Friday staged a counterprotest in Mandya, accusing the Congress of exploiting students for political mileage. The protest, organised by Mandya district BJP unit, was held at Sanjay Circle and witnessed a large number of party workers. Demonstrators raised slogans against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, chief minister DK Shivakumar and the Congress govt, alleging that the ruling party was attempting to politicise issues concerning students instead of addressing them constructively.BJP leaders accused the Congress of using students as political tools to target the Union Govt and divert public attention from the failures of the state administration. They maintained that education-related issues should not be turned into political campaigns and urged the Congress to refrain from misleading students for electoral gains.During the demonstration, BJP workers displayed posters targeting DK Shivakumar and senior KPCC leaders. The protesters alleged that the Congress leadership was encouraging a culture of political intimidation and rowdyism in the state. Referring to recent political confrontations, they claimed that Congress workers resorted to disruptive tactics, including throwing eggs at BJP protests, which they said reflected the deteriorating political culture under the present state govt.
