Kolhapur violence: Karnataka police on high alert at Belagavi border

Belagavi (IANS) | Karnataka Police is on high alert in Belagavi, which shares border with the district, to avoid any untoward incident following violence in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur district over a social media post praising Aurangzeb and Tipu Sultan. Police stations in Belagavi district have been alerted to increase patrolling and send warnings against indulging in any incident of violence. Additional forces have been sent to villages and towns bordering Maharashtra.

Police have intensified patrolling in Nippani, Kognoli, Boragaon, Akkola, Yakshamba, Bedkihal, Manakpura, Sidnala, Mangura and Chandura areas of the district, which have a sizeable Marathi population. The police is making announcements asking the public not to believe in rumours.

Police sources also confirmed that the cyber wing is keeping a close watch on social media posts and has also directed officials to collect information on messages circulated in WhatsApp groups.

In Kolhapur, police lathi-charged and fired tear gas shells to disperse protesters at Shivaji Chowk despite prohibitory orders. There is also news of stone pelting between the two groups. Police detained 20 people and suspended mobile internet services in the city till Thursday afternoon.

–IANS