Banner clash outside Reddy’s house turns deadly; Congress cctivist killed in gunfire

Banner clash outside Janardhana Reddy’s Bellary home turned violent; gunfire killed Congress activist Rajashekhar. Probe underway, rivals trade blame

A violent clash over the installation of banners outside Janardhana Reddy’s residence in Havambavi Nagar escalated into gunfire on Wednesday, leaving one Congress activist dead and several others injured.

The incident unfolded ahead of the Valmiki Statue Inauguration program scheduled for January 3. A group of activists attempted to put up banners near Reddy’s house, but his relatives objected, sparking a heated verbal altercation. The confrontation quickly turned violent, with stones being hurled between the two sides.

Former minister B. Sriramulu arrived at the scene as tensions mounted, followed by Satish Reddy, a close aide of Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy. Despite police intervention and a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd, stone-pelting continued. Amid the chaos, private gunmen reportedly opened fire. Police also fired shots into the air in an attempt to control the situation.

Congress activist Rajashekhar, a supporter of MLA Nara Bharath Reddy, was fatally struck during the gunfire. Authorities have yet to confirm who fired the bullet that killed him.

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Reacting to the tragedy, MLA Nara Bharath Reddy accused Janardhana Reddy and his supporters of orchestrating the violence to disrupt the Valmiki program. “Our activist died in a riot caused by Janardhana Reddy’s supporters. They have been trying to stop the program for the past month. Now they are attempting to halt it through violence. They must be arrested immediately,” he said.

Sriramulu, however, denied any involvement, insisting that neither he nor Janardhana Reddy’s government-provided gunmen fired the fatal shot. “Technology can determine which gun fired the bullet. Let us send it to the forensic lab and find out. It was not from our side,” he clarified.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident, with forensic analysis expected to play a key role in identifying responsibility for the activist’s death. The clash has heightened political tensions in Bellary, casting a shadow over the upcoming Valmiki Statue Inauguration.

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