Bengaluru/Ballari, 7 Jan

The State government on Wednesday transferred the DIG of Ballari range, Vartika Katiyar, in what is seen as a move following the recent clash in Ballari.

Dr PS Harsha, IPS, who was waiting for a posting, has now been posted as Inspector General of Police, Ballari Range.

The government, which had suspended Pavan Nejjur as Ballari SP following the incident, has now appointed Suman D Pennekar as the new Superintendent of Police of the district.

"Vartika Katiyar, IPS (KN 2010), Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ballari Range, is transferred with immediate effect and until further orders as Deputy Inspector General of Police, Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement in the upgraded vacant post," the government notification said, without mentioning any reasons.

Violence erupted in Ballari late on 1 January after supporters of Ballari Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and Gangavati BJP MLA G Janardhan Reddy allegedly clashed over the installation of the Valmiki banner. The situation turned violent with alleged stone-pelting and firing and Congress worker Rajashekhar was killed in the bullet allegedly fired by a private gunman of Congress leader Sathish Reddy.

Meanwhile, Janardhan on Wednesday alleged that the clash was a pre-planned conspiracy and squarely blamed Bharath for the incident.

Janardhan released footage of the clash to show that the alleged firing was carried out using a private gun and was "executed on the explicit instructions of Bharath ".

Rajashekhar was attempting to flee when he was shot at point-blank range, leaving no scope for doubt about intent, Janardhan said. Rajashekhar died instantly.

Holding the legislator directly responsible, he demanded immediate arrest and said the BJP had taken the matter seriously and would pursue it firmly.

There was no immediate response from Bharat Reddy.