Security beefed up in Karnataka's Ballari after political clash over banner

Security was beefed up in Ballari on Friday, even as the situation remained peaceful, a day after clashes allegedly broke out between supporters of BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy and Congress MLA Bharath Reddy over the installation of banners, police said. One person was killed during the incident on Thursday, they said. "The situation was brought under control and additional security has been deployed. At present, the situation remains peaceful and all precautionary measures have been taken to ensure that no untoward incident occurs," a senior police officer said. Videos circulating on social media showed a private gunman allegedly firing shots into the air as tension gripped the area. The confrontation occurred ahead of a Valmiki statue unveiling programme scheduled to be held in the city on January 3. According to police, supporters of Bharath Reddy were attempting to install banners in front of Janardhana Reddy's residence in the Avambhavi area, which was opposed by the latter's ...