Central forces deployed in B’luru after violence

Caught off guard by sudden eruption of violence during the garment workers’ protest over the Provident Fund (PF) issue, authorities have deployed central forces in the city and clamped prohibitory orders.

Personnel of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) on Wednesday staged a flag march along the Jalahalli Cross stretch, one of the worst-hit areas on Tuesday, even as 50 people have been arrested in connection with untoward incidents.

Along the stretch from Madiwala to Bengaluru’s IT corridor Electronics City, which witnessed widespread protests and violence, 15 platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), three platoons of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and RAF and six to seven City Armed Reserve (CAR) platoons have been deployed, a top police official said.

“We have registered around 18 cases, yesterday nine and day before nine; and about 50 people have been arrested so far,” ACP (East-Bengaluru City) Harishekaran said.

He said footage of those involved in stone-pelting, assaulting policemen and torching vehicles are available, adding that the culprits would be arrested soon.

In a spurt of violence, the protesting garment workers set several vehicles ablaze and attacked a police station in the city on Tuesday, forcing the government to revoke the amendment to PF rules that caused the unexpected spontaneous unrest. Protesters had gone on the rampage pelting stones at the Hebbagodi police station and torching seized vehicles. The agitation, which began on Monday, spun out of control on Tuesday.