Karnataka on high alert; bans protests, demonstrations

“We have already deployed around 50,000 police personnel across the state, including 20,000 men in Bangalore to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident arising out of the Ayodhya verdict,” Home Minister R. Ashoka told reporters after chairing a high-level meeting with the top police brass to review the security arrangements.

The state government has also declared holiday for all schools and colleges on Thursday and Friday.

“Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC (banning assembly of five or more people) have been clamped from Thursday 6 a.m. to Saturday 6 p.m. and sale of liquor banned Thursday and Friday in Bangalore,” City Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari said.

Ashoka also reviewed the security arrangements and assessed the situation in other parts of the state by holding video-conferencing with deputy commissioners and superintendents of police of the 30 districts.

“As part of preventive measures, the police have arrested several anti-social elements and suspects prone to create trouble or cause disharmony,” Ashok said.

The state government has roped in additional personnel from the Karnataka State Reserve Police, City Armed Reserve, and home guards to strengthen security arrangements across the state, especially in the sensitive districts and cities of Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, Belgaum and Gulbarga.

Director General of Police (DGP) Ajai Kumar Singh has asked media and television news channels to report the verdict and its details with restraint and avoid flashing or airing any inflammatory speech or provocative statement.

Around 100 closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) and cameras in sensitive areas and vital installations in major cities and towns, especially Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli and Gulbarga have also been installed.