Hubballi witnessed a snap protest demanding ministerial berth to three-time MLA Prasad Abbayya on Monday. As the protest turned violent resulting in damages to a public transport bus, the police detained over 40 persons.

The demonstrators had gathered at Indi Pump in Hubballi to register their protest against their leader not being included in the State Cabinet.

As they tried to torch old tyres as mark of their protest, the police personnel present at the protest site tried to prevent them, leading to altercation. Protesting the police action, some of them lied down on the road and refused to move.

Meanwhile, stones were pelted at a public transport bus leading to damages. As the situation seemed to go out of control, the police swung into action and took several of them into custody and dispersed the crowd.

Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar told reporters that over 40 persons had been taken into custody and action would also be taken in connection with the stone-pelting.

As the protests were likely to continue in the twin cities, they had deployed additional forces at strategic points, he said.