Violence Erupts Over WhatsApp Status; 12 Cops Among Many Injured, 40 Arrested

Hubli: A WhatsApp status post led to violence in which several people, including 12 police personnel, were injured.

Prohibitory orders had to be clamped in Hubli-Dharwad as protesters damaged police vehicles and pelted stones over a morphed post on social media which went viral on Saturday.

Police said 40 people have been taken into custody.

Hubli-Dharwad city police commissioner Labhu Ram said that Section 144 has been imposed till 6 am on April 20.

A large group of people gathered outside the Old Hubli police station and demanded the arrest of Abhishek Hiremath, who had allegedly posted a derogatory morphed photo, The Indian Express reported.

As protesters damaged police vehicles and attacked cops, police had to use tear gas and open fire in the air to disperse the crowd.

Hiremath was arrested from his residence and brought to Old Hubli police station after a complaint was lodged.

“The police have taken action over a WhatsApp status post. However, there has been violence in old Hubballi. If anyone takes the law into their hands, the police will take strict action. Don’t look at this incident from a political point of view but from law and order,” Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.