In a development which came to light here on Sunday, Police Inspector of Market Police Station Ramesh Gokak has issued a directive to the management of the Kannanda Sahitya Bhavan at Rani hannamma Circle imposed restrictions on holding seminars, symposiums, meetings, programmes and even press conferences on its premises without permission.
It came to light when RTI activist Bhimappa Gadad approached the bhavan’s management to facilitate one of its halls for holding a press meet on Sunday. But, bhavan director R.B. Katti denied him citing the police directive.
Inconvenience
The bhavan has been making available its premises for functions, press conferences, religious and cultural events, seminars, workshops and even family functions for a nominal rent for the past several years.
It was for the first time that the police have imposed inconvenient restrictions, Mr. Gadad said.
Allegation
The restrictions issued on January 29, have created an impression that the police was turning dictatorial in dealing with public in sharp contrast with the often trumpeted public-friendly police and people-friendly police stations, he said.
However, Mr. Gokak said he issued the directive out of his own volition in view of certain events held at the bhavan premises affecting the peace and harmony in the city.
He said the police was not against the public or meetings conductd by organisations.
The objective behind his directive was to ensure that the bhavan informed the police station about programmes and meetings (except religious and cultural) so as to enable the police to take preventive measures, which becomes inevitable in some cases, he added.
Police Inspector of Market Police Station Ramesh Gokak has issued instructions
It came to light when an activist approached bhavan authorities for holding a press meet
