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

Hindu organisations have called for a Mangaluru bandh on February 25 ahead of the visit by Pinarayi Vijayan. Mangaluru witnessed massive protests by pro-Hindu organisations on Friday ahead of the visit. BJP along with Sangh Parivar organisations including Hindu Jagarana Vedike, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and Sri Rama Sene organised a protest rally from Jyothi Circle to Central Maidan. Protests were held against the participation of Kerala Chief Minister in a communal harmony rally scheduled to take place on Saturday.

Leaders like Krishna J Palemar, Shobha Karandlaje and members of pro-hindu organisations like Ratnakar Hegde, Sharan Pumpwell, Jagadish Shenava were present in the rally that held CPI(M) led Kerala government responsible for political murders in the state. Protesters alleged that the communal harmony rally that is scheduled to take place on Saturday and organised by the CPI(M) was a farce considering the political killings in Kerala.

"After Pinarayi Vijayan took over CM, Kerala has witnessed serial murders in Kannur, Thrissur and in other parts. 95% of the victims are Hindus in all political murders," said M B Puranik, a pro-Hindu activist. Close to a thousand people took part in the protests asking Vijayan to go back. The Mangaluru police have tightened security in the city ahead of CPI(M)'s rally.

Security stepped up:

• 2,000 police personnel, 600 CCTVs, six drone cameras
• 2,000 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.
• We can allow the peaceful protest, but stringent action will be taken against those who disrupt the law, police said.
• They also warned against spreading rumours on social media like WhatsApp and Facebook, and said that those who do so will be dealt with strictly.
• Police commissioner said that notices have been issued to 41 persons for declaring the bandh illegally.
• Notices have been issued to persons belonging to right-wing outfits like VHP, Hindu Jagarana Vedike, Bajrang Dal and others.

OneIndia News