Shivamogga, 9 Sept

Pro-Pakistan slogans were allegedly raised during the Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi celebrations in the communally sensitive Bhadravati town of Karnataka's Shivamogga district, police said on Tuesday.

According to police, a Muslim outfit had organised the celebration on Monday night in Bhadravati Old Town. A video that has gone viral purportedly shows a group of youths shouting “Pakistan Zindabad.”

The incident has triggered concern in the district, which has witnessed communal flare-ups in the past.

“The incident happened on Monday. We are registering an FIR in Bhadravati now and identifying the persons in it,” Shivamogga Superintendent of Police Mithun Kumar said. “We are verifying where it was shot, when it was shot, who all have shouted, and the genuineness of the video, and then we will be proceeding with investigation.”

The SP added that three police teams led by three inspectors have been formed to identify those involved. “We have footages shot from drones, CCTV and videos taken by our video team,” he told reporters.

The BJP has said the alleged incident is proof that law and order is under threat in the State and that Hindus are under threat.