Hindutva protesters violate Section 144 in BC Road; 2 MPs among many arrested

Mangaluru, Jul 7: Violating the Section 144 of CrPC imposed by the district administration hundreds of Hindutva hardliners on Friday staged a massive demonstration at BC Road in Bantwal taluk in protest against the recent murder attempt on an RSS activist.

Several leaders of Sangh Parivar including Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje, Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar, MLC Ganesh Karnik, who were among the protesters, were arrested by the police for violating the prohibitory orders.

It is learnt that the police have also booked over 500 agitators under sections 143 and 149 of IPC for the illegal protest and violation of ban orders. The timely action of the police brought the situation under control in the tense hit town.

The protest was organised by the Hindu Hitarakshana Samiti, a local umbrella body of saffron outfits to denounce the Tuesday’s attack. 28-year-old local RSS activist Sharat was attacked by a group of unidentified assailants just stone's throw away from Bantwal Town police station on Tuesday night. He is still in critical condition.

The police had repeatedly warned the Samiti against going ahead with the protest that was adjourned several times in the past due to extension of ban orders. However, the Samiti used the attack on RSS activist as a pretext to violate the ban orders.

Traffic blocked

Meanwhile, the police temporary blocked vehicles from moving towards BC Road as part of precautionary measures. Vehicles that were heading to BC Road from Mangaluru were blocked at Farangipet, while the vehicles that were coming from Kalladka were blocked at Melkar. As a result the vehicular movement on National Highway 75 has been completely disrupted.

Also Read: Protest or celebration? Hindutva agitators dance as RSS activist battles for life