Belagavi: While clarifying that police officials in the state were arresting only those who indulged in violence during Saturday’s state bandh against the Mahadayi tribunal's verdict, Director General and Inspector General of Police, Om Prakash, said he has directed his officers to release those aged above 65 years and other innocent people if any, arrested during the violence.

Speaking to mediapersons after reviewing the police passing-out parade at Khanapur, Mr Omprakash said, those indulging in violence would not be spared as it was vital to initiate action against the guilty in order to ensure law and order.

Several violent incidents like damage to public property, vehicles, government offices and courts took place during the violence, he said reiterating that the police was taking only those indulging in such acts into custody.

Based on clippings of CCTVs installed by various organisations and provided by media groups, the police department was trying to trace all miscreants who resorted to violent activities during the bandh. A team comprising senior police officials has been formed to investigate the incidents at the local level, he said.

The department has appointed senior officers, Kamal Panth, Bhaskar Rao and Raghavendra Auradkar for Belagavi, Dharwad and Gadag district respectively to keep a tab on the Mahadayi agitation in these areas, he said adding that 10 KSRP platoons for each of the three districts were deployed as a precautionary measure. Three platoons of Rapid Action Force were also deployed in addition to this, he said.