Ballari on edge: Security tightened after Congress worker killed amid political riot in Karnataka

Ballari: Authorities increased security presence in Ballari on Friday after political violence between rival factions left one man dead and several others injured, police said.

The city remained quiet but tense a day after supporters of BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy and Congress MLA Bharath Reddy clashed over the placement of promotional banners. A senior police official confirmed that one person was killed during the confrontation on Thursday.

“The situation was brought under control, and additional security has been deployed,” the officer stated. “At present, the situation remains peaceful, and all precautionary measures have been taken to ensure that no untoward incident occurs.”

The violence reportedly began in the Avambhavi area, near the residence of Janardhana Reddy, as supporters of Bharath Reddy attempted to install banners ahead of a Valmiki statue unveiling ceremony set for Jan. 3. The move was met with opposition from Janardhana Reddy’s followers, sparking a verbal argument that quickly deteriorated into a physical riot involving stone-pelting from both groups.

Police personnel who arrived to quell the unrest were also targeted with stones, according to official sources. As the situation grew increasingly volatile, officers used lathi charges and fired warning shots into the air to disperse the crowds. Footage shared on social media allegedly showed a private security guard also discharging a weapon during the height of the tension.

While the exact number of injured individuals is still being determined, police confirmed that multiple people were hurt in the fray. Investigations are currently ongoing to establish a timeline of the events and to verify specific allegations made by both political camps.

With inputs from PTI