Police and Bruhat Benaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials have booked 93 persons in connection with cases of putting up illegal flexes, buntings and posters.
This development comes after the Karnataka High Court gave BBMP a deadline of August 14 to pull down flexes and banners.
The Whitefield police along with BBMP officials have booked 93 cases against violators and similar drives are being conducted in other parts of the city.
The 93 persons arrested are from Varthur, Kadugodi, Bellandur, Marathahalli and HAL. “The banners and buntings obstruct free traffic movement and cause accidents. They damage the aesthetic beauty of the city and are an environmental hazard,” said Abdul Ahad, DCP, Whitefield, speaking to The Hindu.
Police have been providing protection to officials ever since officials were attacked in Ramamurthy Nagar during the initial days of the drive.
On Friday, the Karnataka High Court cracked its whip on the matter and ordered the flex menace in the city to be cleared up by August 14. The BBMP told the High Court that around 22,000 flexes have been removed since the initiative was taken up on August 1.
On August 2, four BBMP staff members were attacked while carrying out the drive in Ramamurthy Nagar, prompting police personnel to accompany BBMP officials during the exercise for protection.
The Police Commissioner has also sought the help of resident welfare organisations and non-governmental organisations to make the city 'flex-free', 'poster-free' and 'plastic free'.
According to a 2016 notification by the state government, flexes are illegal since it has banned plastic. In spite of that, flexes are routinely seen in several parts of Bengaluru, especially those put up by politicians.