Amid protests, Pinarayi Vijayan visits Mangaluru

Pro-Hindu organisations have been protesting Pinarayi Vijayan's visit accusing him of being responsible for political deaths in Kerala

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan arrived in Mangaluru to take part in a communal harmony rally on Saturday amid stiff opposition from pro-Hindu organisations. Mangaluru has been witnessing huge protests against Pinarayi Vijayan's visit in the backdrop of political murders in Kerala. The Mangaluru police imposed section 144 to avoid untoward incidents in the city where Vijayan will take part in a CPI-M organised rally.

[Mangaluru bandh on Feb 25 to protest Kerala CM's communal harmony rally]

Responding to a bandh call given by pro-Hindu organisations, shops and establishments in Mangaluru remained shut on Saturday. Incidents of stone pelting were reported from Konaje. Miscreants pelted stones at a KSRTC bus.

Section 144 has been relaxed in three locations in the city where the Pinarayi Vijayan is expected to take part in events. The Kerala chief minister will take part in two private events after which he will address a communal harmony rally in Nehru Stadium of Mangaluru at 4 PM. He is expected to return to Thiruvananthapuram soon after the rally.

The Mangaluru police have clamped down on protests with section 144. Speaking to the media, the commissioner of police Mangaluru had claimed that cases under Goonda act will be registered against those who violate the prohibitory orders.

Security stepped up:

• 2,000 police personnel, 600 CCTVs, six drone cameras
• The police personnel would include six superintendents of police, 10 ASPs, 20 police sub-inspectors, 20 KSRP platoons.
• Across the district, 2 SPs, 2 additionals SPs, 4 DySPs, 6 KSRP platoons, 20 DAR squads, 2 teams of rapid action force will be deployed.

OneIndia News