JOIN USA 52-year-old social activist flung pamphlets demanding the appointment of Lokayukta during the Independence Day celebrations at Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Grounds in Bangalore on Wednesday.
Jayakumar Hiremath, a member of Karnataka Jagruthi Janandolana, sitting in the VIP enclosure, suddenly got up and hurled pamphlets while condemning the government at the top of his voice for delay in appointing the Lokayukta.
The incident occurred while Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar was inspecting the Independence Day parade on a vehicle. Police immediately overpowered Hiremath and whisked him away.
Hiremath, who is also executive committee member of All India Freedom Fighters Sangha, was released later in the afternoon. Last year, Hiremath had filed a complaint in the Lokayukta court accusing Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka of being involved in illegal denotification of government land.
The post of Lokayukta has been lying vacant since September 19 last year after former Supreme Court Judge Shivaraj Patil quit in the wake of allegations of getting land allotment in violation of rules.
The celebrations at the Parade Grounds was held amidst tight security. Closed circuit television cameras were installed around the Parade Grounds which was declared a sterile zone.
Sky sentries were posted atop high-rise buildings in the locality. Only invitees were allowed inside after thorough frisking and making them pass through doorframe metal detectors.