Bijapur :Former union minister Basangouda Patil has been arrested in Kollapur Maharashtra in connection with a group clash in Bijapur.
Police say they have definite proof, including video footage, that former minister Basanagouda Patil Yatnal was responsible for Monday’s communal clash in the city.
IGP (Belgaum division) Bhaskar Rao told reporters here on Tuesday that Yatnal was absconding since violence erupted in the Gandhi Chowk vegetable market.
Three cases have been booked against him and about ten of his followers are also absconding, the IGP said.
Rao said seven FIRs have also been registered against the trouble-makers. By Tuesday, 26 people from both groups were taken into custody and more arrests will follow, he added.
Rao said the violence has been pre-planned. He said a few vehicles were damaged and business establishments had suffered losses. Four people, including two policemen, were injured.
The IGP said two groups had applied for permission to take out rallies to celebrate Narendra Modi’s swearing-in as Prime Minister on Monday. The BJP district unit had sought permission for a bike rally and sweet distribution programme which passed off peacefully.
Basanagouda Patil Yatnal was a former Minister of State, Textiles in Third Vajpayee Ministry.
