Bike rally climax at Mangaluru today

The clash regarding the Mangaluru Chalo bike rally planned by BJP but stopped by State Government has now shifted to Mangaluru. The bike rally intended to be held on Thursday at Mangaluru has been banned by the district administration and prohibitory orders are issued till Sept 8. However, the DC has given permission to hold the convention. But the senior BJP leaders have declared that the bike rally will be held on any account, reported Kannada Prabha.

State BJP president B S Yeddyurappa is camping at Mangaluru to inspire the Party workers. Mangaluru which had witnessed the riot two months ago following the killing of an RSS leader is yet again in turmoil due to the rally.

The State Government has successfully prevented the bike rally, which were to start from various parts of the State. Those who challenged the orders by the SP and dared to violate the order have been taken into custody by the respective district administration.  Tight security has been arranged and CCTV cameras and barricades have been put up to prevent any sort of infiltration. Senior police officials have issued strict orders to check every vehicle that enters Mangaluru from Wednesday itself.

Prohibitory orders Section 35(3) has been issued around Sulliya, Puttur, Beltangadi, Bantwala taluks on Sept 6 from 6am to 6 pm. DC Dr Jagadish has issued orders to prevent any organisation or Party workers arriving on bike into the district.  Prohibitory orders cover the Mangaluru Commissionerate  region also. All processions, Padayatra have been banned. However, permission has been given to conduct a convention at Nehru Grounds between 11 am to 2 pm.

BJP has announced that it would hold the bike rally as planned at around 11 am starting at Ambedkar Circle and end at Nehru Grounds.  Leaders like B S Yeddyurappa, Incharge Muralidhara Rao and others will be participating. BJP is planning to gherao the DC office demanding resignation of district incharge Minister Ramanatha Rai.

The prohibition has had its impact on the Harmony Walk planned by Congress on Sept 12 also. Congress has postponed it as per the advice of district police.  The Dakshina Kannada district Congress Committee has issued a press note stating that in maintaining peace at the district, abiding by the advice of the district police the walk has been postponed

Meanwhile, hundreds of BJP workers have been detained by the police at various places like Mysuru, Shimoga, Chikkamagaluru and Uttara Kannada. Police stopped MP Pratap Sinha at Mysuru, Eshwarappa at Shimoga and C T Ravi at Chikkamagaluru.  They were released later.  Eshwarappa stated that the State Government is not banning KFD, PFI and other organistaions as Siddaramaiah government is engaged in poll bank politics.

Hundreds of BJP workers staged a Ratsa Roko at High way 66 near Hegde Cross.  Effigy of CM was burnt. Chamaraja Nagara, Hasaa and Kodagu also witnessed protest by BJP.

• Bike rally stopped
• Strict vigilance