The police caned and dispersed some Kuvempu Nagar residents, near Jalahalli, who were protesting against a bar and restaurant situated near a temple, on Thursday.

They were protesting against selling of alcohol in the temple vicinity and had decided to stage a dharna in front of the bar on Kuvempu Nagar I Stage in Gagammanagudi police station limits. Bar owner Ramesh has the required licences to run the business, the police said and added: “If the public feel the bar is too close to the temple they should approach the district collector or the excise department and get the bar licence cancelled. But they cannot obstruct the movement of other pedestrians”.

Fire in mall
Fire broke out in Francey mall near Marathahalli bridge on Thursday night. Police said, passersby noticed thick smoke emitting from the mall and alerted fire force. Two fire tenders were pressed into action to putout the fire. The extent of damage and loss of property were not immediately known. The reason for the fire was also not known.