Bandh Shuts Down Maddur Town in Mandya Over Ganesh Visarjan Attack
Maddur town in Karnataka’s Mandya district came to a complete standstill today as locals observed a total bandh. The protest highlights outrage over the stone-pelting attack on a Ganesh Visarjan procession on Sunday night and the police lathicharge on Hindu activists who demonstrated the next day.
Streets stayed quiet with shops and businesses shut tight. To keep things calm, over 1,500 police personnel hit the ground, ensuring no trouble brews in this tense spot.
Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy, who oversees Mandya district, steps in to ease tensions. He plans a peace committee meeting at 3 p.m. in a local convention hall, aiming to bring community leaders together for talks.
Mandya’s Superintendent of Police, Mallikarjun Baladandin, shared updates with reporters. "Our team has rolled out strong measures to maintain peace and law and order in Maddur," he said. This follows the chaotic stone-pelting during the Ganesh Visarjan event and Monday’s protests by Hindu activists. Prohibitory orders stay in place today, and authorities banned liquor sales until tomorrow to avoid any sparks.
With the bandh underway, police stay extra vigilant against provocations. They’re ramping up security, boosting patrols, and keeping a close eye on sensitive areas. SP Baladandin explained the heavy deployment: four SPs, four Additional SPs, 15 Deputy SPs, 30 police inspectors, and 800 regular cops. Plus, 15 platoons from Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and 10 from District Armed Reserve (DAR) stand ready in Maddur.
On the stone-pelting incident during the Ganesh Visarjan procession, police moved fast. They’ve identified 26 suspects, arrested 22 already, and hunt the remaining four. "We’ve sent the accused to judicial custody, but we’ll bring them back for more questioning," the SP noted. Investigators want to uncover who instigated the attack and if outsiders played a role. Teams are poring over CCTV footage and videos to track everyone’s movements.
Reporters asked about claims of locals flashing swords and lighting matches during the Hindu activists’ procession in Maddur. SP Baladandin responded, "We don’t have CCTV proof yet, but our teams keep digging. We’ll act the moment we find solid evidence."
As Mandya bandh news spreads, residents hope for quick resolution to restore normalcy in this Karnataka town. Stay tuned for updates on the Ganesh Visarjan violence probe and police efforts.
