Mangalore, February 15: With cops keeping an eagle eye on hangout spots of the youth across the city, and Dakshina Kannada district, Valentine's Day passed off peacefully on Monday.
The only exception was a brief protest by Bajrang Dal cadre who burnt and tore up Valentine's Day cards in front of Empire Mall on M G Road here only to leave the scene in a hurry as police descended on the spot on receipt of information.
A group of people tried to enter the mall and prevent celebrations of the Valentine's Day. There was exchange of words between this group and the people celebrating the day at the Mall. The police came to mhe Mall and took away the protesters.
City police chief Seemanth Kumar Singh said that the Bajrang Dal cadre must have purchased the cards and Valentine's Day gift elsewhere and destroyed the same in front of the mall.
No one was detained or arrested in this connection.
Police constables guarding hang outs like Tagore Park on Light House Hill Road, and the two malls on Bejai Road and K S Rao Road was a common sight. However, there were no takers for the well-guarded parks across the city.
While couples were allowed to spend time on Valentine's Day at the Kadri Park without any disturbance, it was not the same for couples on the Panambur beach. Although they were not disturbed for a few hours initially on the beach, the police did send away some of the couples during the evening.
There was brisk sale of red and yellow roses in the market priced at Rs. 10 and Rs. 5 respectively.
“Compared to other days, there was a greater demand for red roses. I did a good business today,” said Rajendra, flower vendor at Kankanady. He was waiting for people to sell the last few red and yellow roses kept in a small bucket filled with water.
There were brisk sales of bouquets too which were available at Rs. 150 and Rs. 200.
“Higher the price, more elegant is the decoration,” said Elvin, owner of the shop in Valencia, explaining the difference in the two bouquets he was offering.
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