Tight security in Kodagu ahead of Tipu Jayanti

Security has been stepped up in Kodagu district following protests against the Tipu Jayanti celebrations planned on November 10.

Police personnel from different parts of the state have already been deployed at sensitive places in Kodagu district. A Rapid Action Force (RAF) team took out a flag march on Thursday.

The district administration will organise a Tipu Jayanti programme in Old Fort Hall. The entry to the programme is by invitation. CCTV cameras have been installed at sensitive places. The district administration has warned of stringent action against anyone attempting to disturb the peace. As a precautionary measure, the police have issued notices and collected letters of undertaking from potential miscreants.

Tipu Jayanti is being organised by the government and no associations have been given permission to observe the event. Mounting of flexes, banners and posters on Tipu Jayanti is also banned. BJP, Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Hindu Jagarana Vedike leaders had urged people to boycott Tipu Jayanti celebrations in Kodagu. Meanwhile, Tipu Jayanti Virodhi Horata Samiti had called for a Kodagu bandh on November 10.

To prevent anti-social elements from neighbouring Kerala from indulging in violence in Kodagu like it happened during Tipu Jayanti celebrations in Kodagu in 2015, a team of senior police officers had conducted inspections in Kannur and Kasaragod check-posts in Kerala. IGP (Western Range) Sharat Chandra is also monitoring the security measures.

Kodagu SP Suman D Pannekar told reporters on Thursday that a special team of police had been engaged to collect information on those conspiring to disrupt Tipu Jayanti celebrations. As many as 10 check-posts have been set up at places where the district shared borders with Kannur, Wayanad, Kasargod, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada and Mysuru.

Internal checkpoints have been set up at 40 places including Maldare, Kutta, Anechowkur, Siddapur, Koppa, Shirangala, Kodlipete, Shanivarasanthe and Sampaje. Vehicles plying in and out of the district were also being inspected. “Additional police personnel including an additional SP, six DySPs, 20 inspectors, 46 sub-inspectors, 104 ASIs, 850 constables, 21 DAR platoons, 10 KSRP platoons and 300 home guards will be on duty, apart from the RAF team, Suman explained.

As many as 75 police vehicles will patrol the district round the clock. Seven rapid response teams from the forest department were also deployed.

The government had issued orders and deployed special executive magistrates to ensure maintenance of law and order in the district.