Karnataka

Police prevent procession

DAVANGERE: Activists of the Sri Rama Sene were prevented by the police from taking out a procession from Gandhi Circle to Parvathamma Shivashankarappa Kalyana Mantapa here on Monday.

The police have arrested two activists who had assembled at Gandhi Circle in the morning.

The police told them that they would not allow them to take out the procession as they wanted to prevent any law and order problem arising. Superintendent of Police Sandeep Patil and Deputy Commissioner K. Amaranarayana rushed to the spot and told the activists not to take things further.

A heated argument between the activists and the officials ensued. The activists, questioning the decision of the district administration and said that when farmers were allowed to take out processions, why were activists of the Sri Rama Sene being singled out. “After all, we are taking out a procession only to condemn terrorist activities in the country and to create awareness among the people on such issues,” they said and added that the Government itself aimed at eliminating terror outfits. The Deputy Commissioner and the district police chief told them to “join hands with the Government in opposing terrorism” instead of working separately, and flatly refused to allow them to take out the procession. Mr. Amaranarayana told them that the district administration had decided not to allow processions which could disturb the peace and hence they could not protest. Mr. Patil said they could, however, hold a function in the evening, provided it was peaceful in nature.

After realising that the district administration was unrelenting, the activists withdrew their plans.

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