Mysuru Dasara vs Mahisha Dasara: Section 144 CrPC Imposed Till 6 AM Tomorrow

Mysuru Police Commissioner Ramesh Banoth has issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC, effective from midnight today (October 13) till 6 am on October 14, in the limits of the Police Commissionerate including Chamundi Hills and excluding the interiors of Town Hall.

This order comes after the organisers of both Mahisha Dasara and Chamundi Betta Chalo programmes refused to comply with the City Police Commissioner's denial of permission to conduct the events on Friday i.e October 13.

During the prohibitory period, no processions, protests, rallies, bike rallies, raising of slogans for and against, celebrating by bursting fire crackers, assembly of five and more persons in a group, public meetings, use of sound systems, banners, and distribution of pamphlets, and procession of idols are allowed.

Any organisation or public that violates the prohibitory order and attempts to organise any meeting, take out procession, stage protest and rally, or any such gatherings will be considered as unlawful and suitable legal action will be initiated against them.

However, this order is not applicable to any marriage functions, funeral, school, college, and exam-goers.

The Police Commissioner issued these prohibitory orders in response to a report from the Deputy Director of the State Intelligence Wing, Mysuru district, indicating the potential gathering of 6,554 people from Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Hassan, and Mandya districts for Mahisha Dasara celebrations in the city.

Additionally, the ACP of the Krishnaraja Sub-Division submitted a report recommending the issuance of the ban orders by the Police Commissioner.

With the Dasara festival's inauguration scheduled for October 15, the city is expected to host a significant number of visitors from various parts of the country and even from different states. Given this, if peace and law and order in the city are threatened, and public property is at risk during the Mahisha Dasara celebration, it may disrupt the smooth conduct of all Dasara programs.

Considering these factors, the DCP (Law and Order) recommended the promulgation of prohibitory orders on Chamundi Hill and the area around the Mahishasura statue under Section 144 CrPC, from midnight on October 12 until 6 am on October 14.