Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday reviewed the preparedness of the state police to ensure law and order, peace and harmony during the upcoming Ganesha festival and Bakrid.
Ganesha festival will be celebrated on August 25, while Bakrid is will be celebrated either on September 1 or 2, depending on the moon sighting.
Director General and Inspector General of Police Rupak Kumar Dutta, all ADGPs, commissioners of police and IGPs from across the state attended the meeting and made presentations on their plan of action. “The chief minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, decided to chair the meeting in view of intelligence alerts that vested interests might trigger violence during the festivals,” one of the IGPs who attended the meeting told DH.
Siddaramaiah wanted updates on measures planned by officers to check any untoward incidents and the situation in sensitive areas and deployment of additional forces.
There was an elaborate discussion on the security situation across the coastal region, Belagavi, Hubballi, Bagalkot and Vijayapura, where communal clashes are common during the Ganesha festival.
“The chief minister directed officers to act sternly against those trying to take the law into their hands in these areas. He instructed the police to be vigilant and warned of stern action in case of communal violence,” the officer added.
Officers have been directed to personally monitor the security arrangements and visit sensitive areas.
Another step
Meanwhile, the police department has decided to detain rowdies and anti-social elements to thwart any attempts to trigger violence. “Rowdies and anti-social elements act as contractors to spread violence and rumours to realise their agenda. These elements recently spread false news that the state government wanted organisers to deposit Rs 10 lakh for setting up Ganesha pandals,” the officer added.
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