Ahead of Tipu Sultan Jayanti celebrations in Karnataka on November 10, the Karnataka Police have stepped up security across the state and made several preventive arrests. Security is especially tight in Kodagu district, which witnessed some tension last year.
Last year the Karnataka government declared that Tipu Jayanti on November 10 and that it would be observed by the district administration across the state.
In the days leading up to Tipu Jayanti, the BJP, RSS and other groups ran a campaign claiming that Tipu Sultan had persecuted Kodavas, Christians in Mangalore. During tension on the day, two people were killed, although the circumstances around their death still remains unclear.
This year, the state police have made several preventive arrests across the state. According to media reports, the arrests number around 1,000.
Kodagu Superintendent of Police Rajendra Prasad told The New Minute that prohibitory orders under Section 144 and a liquor ban had been imposed in the district.
“Section 144 has been imposed from 7:30 pm on November 9 to 7:30 am on November 11. Liquor ban has been imposed from 8 am on November 10,” Prasad said.
He said that apart from the district police, units of the Rapid Action Force and the Karnataka State Reserve Police would be also deployed in the district to maintain law and order, and check entry into the district from Kerala, and the neighbouring districts of Mysuru, Hassan and Dakshina Kannada.
"There will be night patrolling on Wednesday and Thursday night too," he said.
He added that even forest staff are being deployed at various areas.
“We have learnt from what happened last year. Some protesters blocked roads by felling trees. So over 60 forest staff would be deployed across the district ,” he said.
Rowdysheeters, and persons with criminal backgrounds have been called to the office of the tahsildar surety was collected from them to ensure peaceful celebration, said Prasad.
“Apart from this over 900 rowdysheeters and people who have previously been booked for causing communal tensions have been booked under CrPC 107, which means they would be bound to maintain peace and good behaviour in his locality,” he said.