Damage to properties during agitations. Who pays up?

It all started as a demand for a separate state back in 2009 and soon took an ugly turn when the agitators started destruction of public and property in parts of the city.

Agitators turned into vandals. Protests became hide and seek stone-pelting battles with the police. Buses became easy targets for the agitators. Nothing could be worse than the sight of buses being burnt, buildings with glass facades being stoned and cars being attacked.
The  activists, in one such protest vandalized 16 statues representing Telugu culture and language on the Tank Bund. As if this was not enough, the TRS leaders including Harish Rao, the Siddipet MLA and the JAC worthies, described as this act of wanton destruction as a 'spontaneous' protest! All this has not only scarred the city, but has affected its brand image.
The mega March on September 30, saw the protestors destroying several vehicles, including those belonging to police and TV channels.
On the one hand, there's damage to public and private property but what about the effect such agitations have on the the lives and careers of students. During the course of the agitation, was it necessary to force, threaten and intimidate educational institutions to  shut down  putting the  future of students at stake? The careers of many students suffered irreparably not to speak of those who shed their lives for a separate Telangana. Who would own responsibility for the loss of lives or for the damaging effect the protests have had on the careers of students?
The question then is, who would be the ultimate losers?  it’s the common man who pays the price for the loss that takes place during the agitations. It would be pertinent to recall the Supreme Court judgement which said that protestors should be penalized for the damage that is caused to public and private property.
The SC verdict should be implemented on the ground simply because, for all the damage that is caused the ultimate sufferer is the common man, who pays a heavy price in various ways.  It is about time that governments dealt with violent protests with the sternness they deserve, instead of trying to appease agitators, book cases against them for a few weeks and months only to withdraw them later quietly.
Harriet@sakshipost