Bangalore: A clash between police personnel and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel on Lalbagh premises on Sunday evening led to the detention of 27 BSF jawans.
According to the police, some people complained to the private guards posted on the Lalbagh premises about the misbehaviour of a group of allegedly inebriated men near the Kempegowda Tower. The visitors alleged that the group was using foul language, and the guards informed the police.
The guards then approached the group, who, it turned out, were BSF jawans in plainclothes. The guards too were reportedly manhandled by the jawans, who turned belligerent upon being questioned.
Around the same time, a head constable attached to the Siddapura police station, Suresh, who was in plainclothes, intervened, but he too was allegedly attacked, police said. When additional reinforcements were summoned, four police personnel reached the spot, but they too were unable to control the situation.
Soon some members of the public joined the police and a clash with the BSF jawans ensued. The police said the brawl led to injury of some civilians, jawans as well as police personnel, including Mr. Suresh. As the situation worsened, a few BSF men tried to escape from Lalbagh, prompting the guards to close the exits.
The police managed to detain the 27 BSF personnel. Meanwhile, the injured have been admitted to a private hospital for treatment.
Based on the complaint of the public and the police, the detained jawans were sent for a medical examination.
A senior police official said that 47 BSF personnel were present in Lalbagh when the clash took place. About 20 of them managed to escape. Though no arrests have been made, police said the 27 detained BSF men would be questioned once the medical tests were completed. The security guards also stated that the jawans had allegedly teased women visitors.
Meanwhile, senior BSF officials said the clash may have taken place due to provocation of the jawans. He said the jawans were on a tour of the city as part of their “In-service” courses. “These jawans have considerable experience. This seems like a provoked attack but we do not know who started it all. We will thoroughly investigate and will initiate strict action if there is any mistake on our part,” an official said.
