Permission denied; Unity March shifted to Nehru Maidan

Police remove publicity materials at Ullal; take out flag march

The city police removed publicity materials of the Popular Front of India (PFI) following the refusal of permission for the unity march that was scheduled to be held at Ullal on Friday.

The police undertook the work amid heavy security.

The venue of the unity march has been shifted to Nehru Maidan in Mangaluru city, according to PFI leaders.

The PFI activists had erected welcome arches, banners and flags in view of the programme at various places including Ullal, Kallapu, Thokkottu and Chembugudde, during Wednesday late night hours.

Ban orders

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner M Chandra Sekhar had clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC, from the evening of February 16 to February 25 at Ullal, restraining any public event. Accordingly, a strong contingent of local police, along with the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) personnel led by ACP (south sub-division) Shruti, removed the publicity materials. Besides, a case has been booked at Ullal station against the PFI organisers.

With the ban orders in place, the police personnel also took out a flag march at Mogaveerapatna, Kotepura, Kodi, Dargah Vatara, Mastikatte till Rani Abbakka Circle.

According to DCP (Crime and Traffic) Dr Sanjiv M Patil, the ban order has been modified as the PFI leaders have agreed to certain conditions laid down by the police to organise the event in Nehru Maidan between 2.30 pm and 5.30 pm only.