The Karnataka government executed a significant reshuffle of senior police officers in the Ballari Range on Wednesday, a direct response to the violent clashes that erupted in the district on New Year's Day, claiming one life. The transfers were announced through an official notification, though it did not specify the reasons behind the administrative moves.
Immediate Police Reshuffle Following Violence
Deputy Inspector General of Police for Ballari Range, Vartika Katiyar, was transferred with immediate effect. Replacing her is Dr. PS Harsha, an IPS officer, who has been appointed as the new Inspector General of Police for the Ballari Range. In another key change, Suman D Pennekar was named the Superintendent of Police for Ballari district.
This high-level reshuffle comes in the wake of a serious law and order situation that unfolded in parts of Ballari on January 1. The violence stemmed from a clash between alleged supporters of two rival legislators: Ballari Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and Gangavati BJP MLA G Janardhan Reddy. The confrontation reportedly began over the installation of a banner.
What Triggered the Ballari Clashes?
The situation escalated rapidly from a dispute over a banner to stone-throwing and even firing, which tragically resulted in the death of one person. According to reports, the clashes were ignited after supporters of Congress MLA Bharath Reddy allegedly installed a banner in front of BJP MLA Janardhan Reddy's residence in Ballari. The banner was related to the unveiling of a statue of Valmiki.
The state government had already taken stern action prior to the transfers. Ballari Superintendent of Police Pavan Nejjur, who had taken charge only hours before the violence broke out, was suspended. The government cited his failure to handle the situation effectively and his inability to properly brief senior officers about the ground reality as reasons for the suspension.
Political Fallout and Accusations
The suspension and subsequent transfers have sparked a political row. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the suspension of SP Pavan Nejjur, accusing the Congress-led state government of making him a "scapegoat" for the administrative failure.
Adding fuel to the fire, Union Minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy targeted Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday. Kumaraswamy questioned Shivakumar's authority for holding a meeting of police officers in Ballari after the violence. "Is there no home minister in the state? Is HM merely a rubber-stamp minister? People should know the truth," Kumaraswamy said, taking a dig at the state's Home Minister, who is also the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA G Janardhan Reddy alleged that the clash was the result of a conspiracy and squarely blamed Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy for the incident. The transfers are seen as the government's attempt to restore order and assert control in the region, which has a history of political tension.
