Mangaluru tensed as Pinarayi Vijayan visits amid protest, curfew
- Security has been beefed up in Mangaluru
- Section 144 has been imposed in the entire district till February 26
- Pinarayi Vijayan will attend the public meeting held as part of Aikyatha Rally
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Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reached Mangaluru to attend 'Rally of Harmony' (Aikyatha Rally) amid protests from Sangh Parivar outfits. The outfits also called for a hartal against his visit alleging involvement in political killings in Kerala.
The 'Aikyatha Rally', organised by the CPM, is being held from 2.30 pm to 6 pm. The Chief Minister will address the public meeting held as part of the rally.
Vijayan, came by train and was received by CPI-M Dakshina Kannada district leaders at the central railway station. He was accompanied by CPI-M Karnataka state secretary Srirama Reddy and Kasaragod MP P Karunakaran.
Police has imposed Section 144 in the limits of Mangalore Commissionerate till 6 am on February 26 considering the possibility of hartal, bandh or any other procession that is likely to lead to violence. However, the area where the rally will be held is excluded from the ambit of Section 144. Security has been beefed up in the city and about 2,000 police personnel are deployed in the area and 1,500 sleuths in the district limits.
Notices were issued to 44 persons under Section 107 of the IPC, for abetment of an illegal act engaging or instigating other related acts, after a Supreme Court directive that bandhs are not permitted in the country.
Meanwhile, right wing activists had held a protest rally in Mangaluru, on Friday, protesting against Vijayan's visit. They alleged that the CPM was responsible for the attacks against BJP workers in Kerala. They also alleged that Vijayan was the mastermind behind crimes against BJP activists. On Thursday, it has been reported that Vijayan’s CPM office was set on fire by unidentified persons in Mangalore’s Thokkottu on Thursday.
However, the recent statement of BJP Kerala general secretary K Surendran that the party has retaliated to attacks and murders in the past is against the image projected by the party.
