Muslim Leaders Seek Release of Seven Held in Stone Pelting Case in Bagalkote

Bagalkote: Muslim community leaders have urged the district administration to release seven persons arrested in connection with a recent stone pelting incident, claiming they are innocent and have been wrongly detained.

The demand was raised during a peace meeting convened at the District Administrative Bhavan in Navanagar under the leadership of district in-charge minister R. B. Timmapur. The meeting was organised after members of the Muslim community did not attend a similar peace meeting held on Friday.

However, Hindu leaders were absent from Saturday’s meeting, resulting in participation only from representatives of the Muslim community. During the meeting, community leaders orally submitted their grievances to the minister and senior officials.

According to the Muslim leaders, eight persons were arrested in connection with the stone pelting incident. “Out of the eight arrested, only one person is actually involved. The remaining seven are innocent and have been wrongly implicated. We request the administration to conduct a fair inquiry and release them immediately,” a community representative said.

The arrests were made following tension in the district over the alleged stone pelting episode, which had led to heightened security and the convening of peace talks by the administration.

After the meeting, Timmapur appealed for calm and communal harmony. “All communities in the district must maintain peace and restraint. We should move forward without giving room to any untoward incidents,” he said.

He assured that the administration would examine the concerns raised during the meeting and take appropriate action based on facts and evidence.

The absence of Hindu leaders at the second round of talks has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the peace efforts, even as officials continue to engage with stakeholders to defuse tensions.

Authorities have maintained that law and order will be strictly enforced and that any decision regarding the arrested individuals will be taken in accordance with the law after due verification.