KRV men take out rally against their leader's externment by cops

Raise slogans against top cops for targeting Kannada activists

Hundreds of Kannada activists, especially those owing allegiance to Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) T A Narayan Gowda faction, on Tuesday, took out a massive protest rally against the Police department, alleging high-handedness of police personnel in the recent externment of a fellow activist, Praveen Kumar.

Tense situation prevailed for a moment, as some of the activists tried to break through the barricades, only to taste mild force of the police personnel. In his recent order, DCP (Law and Order) Dr H T Shekar had ordered for externment of three persons listed under rowdy sheet, including Praveen Kumar, president of KRV, Mysuru district unit. Kumar, a native of Nanjangud, has been externed for a period of one year, prohibiting his entry into the city.

Following the police action, State unit president Narayan Gowda led the protesters, drawn from various parts of Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts, from Kote Anjaneya Swamy Circle to the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

The agitators, draped in yellow-red mufflers, besides holding the flags, considered as Kannada flag, pulled up a massive show of strength, daring the police personnel throughout the rally.

The rallyists also held placards with slogans against DCP Shekar and Lashkar Police Inspector Kantharaj, holding them responsible for the inclusion of Praveen Kumar’s name in the rowdy list. The activists expressed willingness to turn rowdies for the cause of the language, if the police continue to crackdown on them for no valid reasons.

No sooner the rally reached Chikka Gadiyara Junction, some among them tried to break through the barricades, to enter KR Circle from Sayyaji Rao side, only to cause the fall of ACP (Devaraja sub-division) Girijesh. This led to tense moments for sometime, with the sentinels using mild force to rein in the agitators.

As per the standing order of the Police department, barring a few occasions, protests and rallies at KR Circle is prohibited.

The agitators later marched towards the DC’s office, where a memorandum was handed over to Deputy Commissioner C Shikha.

Kannada Sahitya Parishat Mysuru district unit president M Chandrashekar, immediate past president Maddikere M Gopal and writers also took part in the rally.