Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Sep 7: Police have set up barricades all along the roads leading to Mangaluru and also the roads within the city. They have been stopping and questioning two-wheeler riders in an apparent bid to stop the rally announced by BJP on Thursday September 7. On Wednesday, police stopped bike rallies at Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Mysuru etc from moving towards Mangaluru and took into custody over 2,000 BJP activists. BJP however said it is determined to go ahead with the rally at Mangaluru as planned.
On Wednesday, police arrested and released BJP leaders and activists like MP, Pratap Simha, who also happens to be president of state unit of BJP Yuvamorcha, former minister, S A Ramdas, and hundreds of others, who had made preparations to move to Mangaluru in a bike rally. The others arrested include leader of the opposition in state legislative council, K S Eshwarappa. and MLA, B Y Raghavendra, both of whom were arrested from Shivamogga and former minister and MLA, C T Ravi, from Chikkamagaluru. A large number of activists who succeeded in hoodwinking police elsewhere were stopped at the district borders.
B S Yeddyurappa and Shobha Karandlaje - File photo
State general secretary of BJP, Aravind Nimbavali, said that the Yuvamorcha of the party had sought protection for the rally being held at Mangaluru, and not permission. He said that the party is hell bent on holding bike rally and Padayatra from Jyoti Circle at Mangaluru. He also stated that in addition to holding public meeting at Nehru Maidan, party activists will also mob the office of the deputy commissioner there.
He added that state president of the party, B S Yeddyurappa, will make announcement about pursuing fight against the government with renewed vigour because of forcible blocking of motor bike rally.
The police have taken all steps to stop the said bike rally and Padayatra. They have arranged for tight security everywhere. On the other hand, the BJP is busy preparing to bring thousands of the people for the public meeting.
Many state BJP leaders like B S Yeddyurappa and Shobha Karandlaje have arrived in city. Others are expected to arrive soon.