In the aftermath of the violence and arson that erupted in East Bengaluru late Tuesday night over an inflammatory social media post by Karnataka Congress MLA Srinivas Murthy’s nephew, the MLA says that he had a miraculous escape from an angry mob wielding machetes, swords, and petrol bombs that attacked his house vandalizing his property.
At least three people have reportedly died and more than a hundred people including 60 policemen were injured in the mob violence that ensued after a post allegedly insulting the prophet of a community went viral in D.J Halli and K.G Halli areas of the state capital in Pulakeshinagar locality.
“It is a miracle that I am alive…when the incident occurred I was outside. Some well-wishers in the area called me and forewarned me and thus I managed to escape, otherwise, I don’t think I would be alive today,” Srinivasa Murthy told reporters according to the Hindustan Times. The MLA claimed that the assault appeared to be “well-planned” and that severe damage has been done to his property and other valuables.
According to reports, Murthy has asked, “If an MLA cannot get security then who can stay safe?”.
He also added that the situation would have been worse had it not been for the timely arrival of the cops.
Section 144 of CRPC has been imposed across Bengaluru and over 150 people have been arrested till now for arson, assault, and stone-pelting. The police have also arrested the MLA’s nephew, Naveen accused of posting a derogatory and religiously offensive post on Facebook.
Srinivas Murthy has also demanded a probe into the incident by CBI or CB-CID. Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has tweeted condemning the violence and has issued for a probe by District Magistrate.
