Manglauru: District in-charge minister B. Ramanath Rai on Friday said elaborate security arrangements are being made to ensure that no untoward incidents take place during the Hindu Samajotsava, in Mangaluru on March 1.
Chairing ‘peace meet’ organized by the district administration along with the leaders of religious leaders and social activists, the minister said that as many as 200 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras will be installed at the Hindu Samajotsava venue to record all kinds of activities. In addition to it, over 500 CCTV cameras are being installed in all the sensitive places to keep an eye on any untoward incident. “It will help in providing evidences, in case of any anti-social activities”, he added.
Meanwhile, city police commissioner S. Murugan mentioned that over 4,000 additional police personnel will be deployed in various places in the city including KSRP platoons, DAR platoons and Rapid Action Force companies. “If there is any anti social element, our team will reach the spot in five to ten minutes to bring the situation under control”, he added.
Mr. Rai said that the arrangement of multiple security measures is only to see that the convention, which is likely to witness over one lakh participants, go peacefully. “We do not want to see another communal clash in the city”, he said giving example of Hindu Samajotsava in Puttur, which followed a communal clash.
The minister also requested the organizers to ensure that the convention ends peacefully and asked to refrain from delivering provocative speeches. Religious leaders, who attended the meet, too asked the organisers to ensure that the key speekers do not hurt the sentiments of other religion. Mr. Rai also instructed the organizers to end the programme by 5.30pm and disperse the crowd before sunset. “We will take strict action against those who provoke communal violence. Besides, the organisers will be made responsible for any such incident”, he mentioned.
M.B Puranik, organizer of Hindu Samajostava informed the gathering that the convention is soley aimed to bring unity among the Hindus and to correct internal issues, which persists in the community. He promised that the convention will go on smoothly, without harming anyone.
MLA J.R Lobo, Mohiuddeen Bawa, MLC Ivan D’Souza, deputy commissioner A.B Ibrahim, Superintendent of Police Dr. Sharanappa, Zilla panchayath CEO Tulusi Maddineni were among others present at the press meet.
