Date:09/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/09/stories/2007020922630300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Official's action leads to tension

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Tension prevailed at Mysore Bank Circle on Thursday as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) G.B. Chebbi tried to stop the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists from taking out a procession to protest the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award, though they had obtained necessary permission.

When the procession was about to start, Mr. Chebbi arrived there and ordered the police to arrest the activists stating that they had not taken permission from the police.

Vedike president T.A. Narayana Gowda told Mr. Chebbi that Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Bipin Gopalkrishna had permitted them to take out a procession. (Mr. Gopalkrishna confirmed to The Hindu that he had given permission for the procession.)

When Mr. Chebbi asked the activists to show him the permission letter, there were heated exchanges between him and Mr. Narayana Gowda.

As the situation was going out of control, two other officers, who were there, telephoned Mr. Gopalkrishna and requested him to call back Mr. Chebbi from the spot. Subsequently, Mr. Gopalkrishna flashed a message on the wireless directing the DCP to vacate the place.