The city police, on Sunday, detained over 60 ‘Kiss of Love’ campaigners, including men and women. They were taken into custody from the Mofussil bus stand premises.
Tension in city
Tension prevailed in the city as the police action continued till all the campaigners were placed under preventive detention. The police team deployed in front of the bus stand, as per the directive of the City Police Commissioner, also detained a few Hanuman Sena workers who tried to manhandle the ‘Kiss of Love’ campaigners.
After two-hour-long action, the police brought the situation under control.
Senior police officers said the legal action was initiated as the campaigners had failed to obtain prior permission from the police to host the event.
A few ‘Kiss of Love’ supporters who gathered in other pockets of the city to register their protest against the police action took to the streets.
Writer manhandled
Writer Deedi Damodaran and her husband, Premchand, who expressed solidarity with the movement, were manhandled at S.M. Street by Shiv Sena workers. The police resorted to lathi-charge as scuffles broke out between the rival groups.
The protest by the detained campaigners continued in police custody too. Women protesters alleged that they were verbally abused and manhandled by women civil police officers.
They also claimed that the police seized their mobile phones and denied them permission to meet lawyers.
Youth protest
Some youth organisations and activists who came out in support of the movement staged a protest in front of the Commissioner’s office demanding the release of those who had been detained. Youth who received live updates on the KOL Facebook page too joined the campaign at various locations.
