Security has been tightened across Kodagu district in view of Tipu Jayanti celebrations by the State government on Friday. A release has stated the district administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code with effect from Thursday. The orders will be in force till 6 a.m. on Saturday.
In a bid to prevent any untoward incident that could escalate tensions, surveillance has been stepped up at the 10 check-posts which are the entry points to Kodagu from Kannur, Wayanad and Kasaragod in Kerala, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, and Mysuru, the release added. Kodagu SP P. Rajendra Prasad said in all 44 CCTV cameras have been installed for constant monitoring of movement of people and all vehicles will be subjected to a thorough check. Besides, 60 check-posts in the district have been set up at police station levels and 249 CCTV cameras are in place in Madikeri, Virajpet, and Somwarpet taluks.
Additional police force has been deployed from other parts of the State as well with an Additional SP, 8 DY SPs, 23 police inspectors, 68 sub-inspectors, 113 ASIs, 1,500 constables, 27 District Armed Reserve (DAR) platoons, 15 KSRP platoons besides one company of the Rapid Action Force.
100 mobile police squads
Authorities have also deployed 100 mobile police squads that will be patrolling sensitive areas and throughout the district round-the-clock while the Revenue Department has deployed special sectoral magistrates at hobli levels to monitor the situation.
Deputy Commissioner Richard Vincent D’Souza held peace meetings with community and religious leaders on Wednesday and appealed for calm. Consequent to the imposition of prohibitory orders, processions and unlawful assembly of people, agitations, rasta roko, among others have been banned. Likewise, sale of liquor too has been banned till 8 a.m. of Saturday.
Meanwhile, ADGP Bhaskar Rao met senior officials of the district on Thursday and reviewed the security arrangements for Tipu Jayanti celebrations.
He later told media persons in Madikeri that security arrangements were in place to ensure peaceful celebrations.
The police will act against those flouting the law and violating the prohibitory orders, according to Mr. Rao, who also said that schools and colleges will function as usual.
