Procession routes changed in Kolar
Decision taken at peace meeting; no processions at Clock Tower, Domelight Circle and MG Road
The district administration, in order to avoid communal tension and untoward incidents, has decided to change the route of processions taken out during Hindu and Muslim festivals.
The decision was announced by Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar Meena, after the discussion at the peace meeting, held at his office on Tuesday. Earlier, the pros and cons of the decisions were aired by the people participating in the meeting.
During the beginning of the meeting, Meena said that the peace in the city was continously under the threat. Police have been targeted by the mob under these circumstances, he added.
Meena said that during the last Ganesha festival procession a bus was torched and recently during the widening of MB Road in the city policemen were the victims of stone throwing by mob. However, the incidents were triggered by trivial issues, he added.
Though, district adminstration is capable of controlling a mob, beyond a point it is not possible, said Meena who sought people’s co-operation in peaceful celebration of various festivals.
External forces
Blaming the external forces for untoward incidents, he said that the forces were instigating people against each other. People should immediately inform the authorities concerned about the activities of such vested interests in order to prevent any untoward incident.
Usually, tension prevails during the Ganesha and the Eid processions. The situation turns dangerous when the processions enters particular areas in the city. Hence, to avoid this procession will be banned in certain areas.
Acting on the advice of police, it has been decided to ban processions at Clock Tower, Doomlight Circle and MG Road, he added.
Decision
However, the decision to change the procession routes and to ban processions at certain key areas, was only arrived after much deliberations.
Though many in the meeting supported the decision, there were a few in the meeting who opposed the decision on the grounds that it would hardly make a difference and to the contrary might aggravate the problem. Some even hesitated to give their opinion.
CMC vice-president L Khaleel Ahmed, Anjuman Islamia president Jameer Ahmed, Mohammed Vaneez and Ramaiah favoured the decision. While Harohalli Narayanswamy opposed the move. CMC member S R Murali Gowda contended that being a elected representative it was neither possible to support nor reject the decision.
Additional SP H R Bhagawan Das said the change in route or the ban was not permanent as even they were bound to change. However, everybody should co-operate in maintaining peace, he added. After lot of discussions, the decision was accepted.
DC warns stern action against against mischief mongers
All those people who disturb peace in the city and threaten to defy district administration will be lodged in the jail, warned DC Manoj Kumar Meena reacting sharply to the Harohalli Narayanaswamy’s comments.
Narayanaswamy who had opposed the changing of the procession route, had said that it was not a solution as police force should be used to avoid untoward incidents.
He said that district administration had changed the procession route even during Ambedkar jayanti.
Meena had even threatened stage massive protest against the decision.
Meena said that he was the president of Ambedkar Jayanti Celebration Committee and would take the necessary step. He once again warned him not to threaten the district administration.
Meena also took Bajarang Dal leader Appi to task for not giving clear cut opinion on change of routes. He threatened to lodge him in Bellary jail if he didn’t speak sensibly.
