21 Jan 2007
Source: Reuters
BANGALORE, India, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Hundreds
of Hindu activists burnt shops owned by Muslims
and set vehicles ablaze in the southern city
of Bangalore, India's technology hub, on Sunday,
police and witnesses said.
The violence occurred as activists moved through
the city to join a rally organised by the right-wing
Hindu fundamentalist organisation Rashtriya
Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS -- National Volunteers'
Corps).
On Friday, thousands of Muslim demonstrators
protesting against last month's execution of
Saddam Hussein in Iraq, clashed with police
and destroyed shops and cars in the city.
Bangalore is home to about 1,500 global and
Indian IT firms. Their operations were not affected
by the violence as they are located on the city
outskirts.
Police used teargas and batons to disperse the
crowds and prohibition orders, restricting movement
of four or more people together, were issued
in central Bangalore.
More than 2,000 police officers patrolled the
affected areas as mobs targeted Muslim shops
and vehicles, forcing the closure of some businesses,
witnesses said.
Police said there were no injuries but witnesses
said about five people were wounded in stone-throwing
incidents.
"Prohibitory orders will be in force until
Tuesday," city police chief N. Achuta Rao,
told Reuters. He said there had been some arrests
but did not give a number.
The Indian state of Karnataka, of which Bangalore
is the capital, is ruled by a coalition of the
Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party and
a regional party.
