Shiv Sena forces love-birds to turn brother-sister

Varanasi, Feb 14 (UNI) Sporadic incidents in form of protests by various saffron outfits were witnessed on Valentine's Day in the city today, despite tight security arrangements to prevent any untoward incident.

While the Shiv Sena activists carried out anti-V'day procession in the city, its breakaway faction Kranti Shiv Sena took out a mock funeral procession on Valentine's Day.

The Shiv Sena activists in their bid to check Valentine's Day celebration were seen loitering around cinema halls, restaurants, gift and flower shops, besides parks and shopping malls.

They also trouped down to the Ganga ghat -- one of the favourite haunts of the love doves -- and forced a young girl to tie 'rakhi' on the forearm of her boyfriend, besides compelling another duo to undergo mock marriage at the Ahilyabai Ghat.

Responding to the anti-V'day brigade, activists of the Samajwadi Chattra Sabha (SCS) -- student wing of ruling Samajwadi Party -- carried out a motor cycle procession here to spread the message of love.

Meanwhile, sensing the threat of saffron brigade, the valentines stayed away from celebrations with Valentine hotspots like the Ravidas Park remaining empty, Security at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus was beefed to prevent any untoward incident.

UNI