An unusual calm prevails across Srirangapatna, the land of Tipu Sultan and his father Hyder Ali. The town, on the banks of the Cauvery, has been gearing up for the celebration of the birth anniversary of Tipu.
The historical ‘fort town’ Srirangapatna, which witnessed the rise and fall of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, and also the Anglo-Mysuru wars, has many monuments related to Tipu, including the tombs of Tipu and his family.
When The Hindu visited on Thursday there was a calm in the town. There was no special deployment of police, screening of baggage and vehicles of tourists, and barricades on major roads.
The tourists were seen at the Gumbaz, Ganjam, bathing ghats, Sangam, Nimishambha temple, Ranganatha Swamy temple, Srirangapatna fort, Daria Daulat and other places.
Tourist guides, cabs and autos, vendors and others were engaged as usual.
Hotels and business establishments were buzzing with customers. And, the parking lots were filled with vehicles. “Several thousand families belonging to Hindu, Muslim, Christian and other religions are living in harmony in the town. No issues will separate us,” Imam Ali, a hotel owner, told The Hindu .
Meanwhile, the police department has warned of initiating stern action against troublemakers during the Tipu Jayanti celebrations in the district.
Ahead of the event on November 10, D. Shivaprakash, Superintendent of Police, convened a peace committee meeting in Mandya on Thursday.
Mr. Shivaprakash addressed the meeting and said that the department will also take stringent action against those spreading rumours, especially on social media, about the celebrations.
He urged the people to maintain peace in the district. Stringent action would be initiated against those trying to disrupt the peace. Additional security personnel would be deployed at sensitive places during the celebrations. CCTV and other surveillance measures would be enhanced during the celebration, Mr. Shivaprakash said.
