Ahead of the Allahabad High Court verdict on the Ayodhya title suit tomorrow, authorities in Karnataka promulgated prohibitory orders across the State from this midnight for 48 hours as a preventive measure to maintain law and order.
Around 50,000 police personnel, besides 12,000 Home Guards have been deployed across the State as part of security measures to meet any situation, State ADGP (Law &Order) A R Infant told reporters here.
About 150 platoons of District Armed Reserve (DAR) and City Armed Reserve (CAR) and 200 platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) have also been deployed, he said.
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“The prohibitory orders will not apply to meetings or functions held indoors and also to gatherings in mosques tomorrow to offer prayers,” Infant said.
In another preventive measure, the government ordered closure of all liquor shops for two days from tomorrow.
As part of preparations, police and district administrations have held peace committee meetings in the last two weeks, besides meeting political parties, seeking their cooperation in maintaining communal harmony, he said.
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City Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari said prohibitory orders would be in force in Bangalore for three days from tommorrow.
DGP Ajai Kumar Singh sought to allay fears expressed by IT and BT firms on working tomorrow, saying adequate security would be provided.
To a question on “malicious” e-mails sent during such situations, Mr. Singh said the Centre has already taken note of it and all bulk e-mails had been blocked.
As far as Bangalore was concerned, telecom providers have already been asked to screen SMSes and stop circulation of objectionable messages, he said.
Police would also take “anti-social elements” into preventive custody, he said. The State government has declared a two-day holiday for schools and colleges from tomorrow.