IG Vartika Katiyar Transferred Following Ballari Banner Clash; P.S. Harsha Appointed as New IG
Ballari / Bengaluru: In a significant administrative move following the violent clash over a banner outside Gangavathi MLA G. Janardhana Reddy’s residence, the Karnataka government has ordered the transfer of Inspector General of Police (IG) Vartika Katiyar, marking another high-level action in the Ballari violence case.
The transfer comes days after Ballari Superintendent of Police Pawan Nejjur was placed under suspension for alleged failure to effectively handle the situation. The state government has now appointed P.S. Harsha as the new IG of Ballari Range, while Dr. Suman D. Pennekar has been named the new Superintendent of Police for Ballari district.
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According to official sources, IG Vartika Katiyar reportedly failed to promptly escalate the seriousness of the banner-related violence to senior authorities. A detailed report submitted by the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG-IGP) to the state government recommended action against the IG, leading to her transfer.
SP Pawan Nejjur had assumed charge only on January 1, taking over from Shobharani. However, he was suspended shortly thereafter on grounds of inadequate handling of the banner clash, which spiralled into large-scale violence.
So far, 26 accused and one private gunman have been arrested in connection with the Ballari banner violence. Police have seized bullets, glass bottles, and other materials used during the clashes. Authorities confirmed that search operations are continuing to nab the remaining suspects.
The developments underline the government’s firm stance on fixing accountability within the police hierarchy as investigations into the Ballari unrest continue.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ಬಳ್ಳಾರಿ ಬ್ಯಾನರ್ ಗಲಾಟೆ ಪ್ರಕರಣ: ಐಜಿ ವರ್ತಿಕಾ ಕಟಿಯಾರ್ ವರ್ಗಾವಣೆ; ಪಿ.ಎಸ್. ಹರ್ಷ ನೇಮಕ
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