Security has been tightened in Ballari and surrounding areas to maintain law and order. | Photo credit: SRIDHAR KAVALI
The bullet recovered from the body of a Congress worker who died in a group clash that broke out in Ballari on Thursday was not fired from a police weapon, confirmed Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) R. Hitendra.
Addressing a press conference at the SP office in Ballari on Friday, he said that there was stone pelting and firing by private militants during the encounter and CCTV footage and footage were being examined to identify those involved. Five firearms belonging to private gunmen have been seized and their licenses are being verified.
A total of 1,500 policemen have been deployed in Ballari and surrounding areas to maintain law and order. Additional forces were withdrawn from Ballari, Davanagere, Chitradurga and Vijayanagara areas and meetings were held with Valmiki community leaders as a precautionary measure, he added.
Four cases reserved
Mr. Hitendra said the post-mortem of the deceased has been completed and four cases have been registered so far in connection with the incident. “No arrests have been made yet. We will not make arrests in haste. Even if influential people are involved, the investigation will be conducted carefully and action will be taken in accordance with the law,” he said.
He added that an internal investigation was underway to check any misconduct by the police during Thursday’s incident and assured that strict action would be taken if negligence was found. Ballari Superintendent of Police Pavan Nejjur has been suspended for alleged lapses in handling the law and order situation. He was posted to Ballari on 31 December.
CM asks for a report
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the government has ordered a detailed inquiry into the clash near former minister Gali Janardhan Reddy’s residence and directed officials to submit a report.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said the investigation would also ascertain the ownership of the firearm used in the incident. He said preliminary information indicated the possibility that the victim was hit by a bullet fired in the air and said all aspects of the case would be thoroughly investigated.
Published – 02 Jan 2026 20:31 IST
