The Byataranyapura police have arrested a man belonging to a Kannada organization for allegedly instigating others to damage property during the sporadic protests that broke out in Bengaluru on September 12 over the Cauvery dispute.

Deccan Chronicle reports that 40-year-old Prakash, alias Kannada Prakash, is the general secretary of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) of Bengaluru city and a resident of Bapujinagar.

According to the police, Prakash was in Mandya on September 12 and instigated his followers in Bengaluru to set fire to Tamil Nadu registered vehicles.

Prakash was taken into preventive custody ahead of the bandh on September 9, but was released the same day.

A police official told DC that Prakash was involved in an attempt to set fire to a lorry bearing TN registration near Channapatna.

“He was also involved in throwing stones at Adayar Anand Bhavan restaurant in Bidadi and trying to block vehicles on Bengaluru-Mysuru highway. He directed women activists to barge into Akshaya Motors in Kengeri and vandalize property. His role has been established in the arson and other damage to property in the Bytaranyapura police station limits,” the police official said.

The Hindu reports that 12 persons, including 8 women were arrested from Kengeri for attacking Ashaya Motors, ransacking the showroom and manhandling the staff members.

Prakash has been booked in the past for allegedly blocking trains at Nayandanahalli metro station during a bandh on the Mahadayi issue.