A 22 year-old C Bhaghyasri, arrested for setting fire 42 buses and trucks with Tamil Nadu registration number plate in Bengaluru on September 12, was allegedly offered Rs. 100 and a plate of mutton biryani to join the protests over Cauvery water sharing issue.
C Bhagya, as she known as, is one of 11 people arrested for the September 12 attack. The suspects have been accused of dousing the crew of the KPN fleet with diesel and threatening to burn them.
After watching the CCTV footage of the cameras from the yard where the buses were parked along with the mobile videos filmed by KPN crew, the police has come to the conclusion that Bhagya could be the agent provocateur.
Meanwhile, the mother of Bhagya, Yellamma has confirmed that her daughter was offered Rs. 100 and a plate of mutton biryani for joining the Cauvery protests. She is a daily wager and stays with her parents in Girinagar near KPN Garage.
“Bhagya had just returned home around noon (on September 12) when some men known to her came over and asked her to join the protests. They promised to give her biryani and Rs. 100 at the end of the day,” Yellamma said.
According to the sources in police, more women were seen at the site in the CCTV footage but it is not yet clear if they were too involved in vandalism and instigating people. Bhagya is the lone woman among the 400 people arrested by the police in connection with the Cauvery protests.
Bhagya is in the police custody for further questioning. “As of now, we can say she was one of the arsonists,” a senior police officer informed.
A senior police officer said it was not yet clear if Bhagya was leading the mob. “As of now, we can say she was one of the arsonists,” the officer added.
She has been booked for attempt to murder (IPC 307), unlawful assembly (IPC 143), rioting (IPC 147), rioting with deadly weapon (IPC 148), voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means (IPC 324), causing damage (IPC 427), damage by fire or explosive substance (IPC 435) and Column 2 of Prevention of Destruction and Loss of Property Act of 1981.
