Thomas (Special correspondent)
CM Bommai condemns vandalism in Belagavi
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has strongly condemned vandalism by miscreants at Belagavi and assured stringent action against the persons responsible at the earliest.
The statue of Sangolli Rayanna installed at Kanakdas Colony in the Angol suburb was reportedly vandalized by miscreants in the early hours of Saturday
Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, Bommai said, he has instructed Home Minister Araga Jnanendra to take stringent action against those who disturb law and order.
The latter too has issued orders in this regard to police officers.Already a few persons have been arrested.
The Home Minister too has issued orders in this regard to police officers. Already a few persons have been arrested. Those indulging in acts of vandalism like stone pelting,destroying public property and damaging government vehicles would be dealt with sternly.
More stringent and long term measures would be taken to ensure that such acts do not recur. Police have been instructed to take all measures in this regard.”
Vandalising the statutes of the patriots who have made sacrifices for the country could not be tolerated.
Statues are erected to pay respects to them, not to cause social unrest in their name. A few elements are indulging in such intolerable acts. They would be crushed. Investigation would find whether it was perpetrated intentionally,” Bommai said.
Section 144 imposed in Belagavi : 
According to Belagavi Police Commissioner’s office, a prohibitory order has been imposed under Section 144 Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in the Belagavi city and taluk.
Violent protests at Karnataka’s Belagavi
Earlier in the day, over 26 vehicles of Karnataka police and government were damaged at Belagavi. Following this, the police arrested 27 people involved in acts of vandalism, after offenders damaged the statue of Sangolli Rayanna as well as government vehicles. Belagavi Commissioner of Police K Tyagarajan had informed that 27 were arrested within limits of three police station in Belagavi, for attacking the Sangolli Rayanna statue.
