The police had a tough time controlling Congress activists during the Dakshina Kannada leg of the Janaashirwada Yatra of party president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday.
The challenge was more so when the open-roof vehicle, in which Mr. Gandhi, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah did a road show from Baba Ambedkar Circle, entered the Nehru Maidan where Mr. Gandhi was to address the public meeting.
Hundreds of activists followed the vehicle as it entered the maidan from the gate opposite to the office of the Police Commissioner.
A large number of police personnel posted at the gate tried to prevent the activists trooping towards Mr. Gandhi’s vehicle.
When the activists tried to push back, the police had to cane them, and chase them away.
The police then locked the gate. Caught up in this melee were a set of photojournalists, who were following Mr. Gandhi’s vehicle. They too were sent out.
When Mr. Gandhi was addressing the gathering, a group of Congress supporters, who wanted to have a clear view of the stage, threw water and water bottles on photo journalists standing in the front.
The police also had a hard time controlling activists assembled at Mulky junction, which was the first stop of Mr. Gandhi’s yatra in Dakshina Kannada.
Haphazard parking of vehicles of the supporters hampered movement of Mr. Gandhi’s convoy from Mulky to Surathkal.
