No protest when PM in town; Congress workers held

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru

The Chikkamagaluru police of Karnataka on Monday took Congress Kisan Cell President and 30 others into custody for planning to protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi near the Yelahanka Indian Air Force base in Bengaluru.

It was alleged that the president of Kisan Cell, Sachin Migha, was planning to stage a protest and raise slogans against PM Modi. The police said that the Kisan Cell workers had left for Bengaluru in 10 vehicles to stage a protest on Monday. But as soon as they started towards Bengaluru, the police blocked them and took the group into custody.

Police sources said the Congress leaders raised slogans against the BJP before being taken away by the police. Karnataka police are on high alert as the intelligence has warned that protests against Agnipath scheme might break out during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public rallies in Karnataka. PM Modi is on a 2-day visit to the state. He is expected to participate in 10 programmes in Bengaluru and Mysuru, including the International Yoga Day on June 21.

Taking no chances, the state police department deputed more than 10,000 police personnel to ensure no untoward incident takes place during the PM's programmes. Bengaluru Police Commissioner Pratap Reddy is monitoring the security arrangements while two Additional Police Commissioners, two Joint Police Commissioners, 12 DCPs, 30 ACPs, 80 police inspectors are out to prevent any unruly incident.

DKS 'condemns' holiday

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President DK Shivakumar on Monday condemned the State government’s decision to grant a holiday on the occasion of World Yoga Day and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit.

“It's unfortunate that the State government has announced a holiday for some educational institutions in the light of Prime Minister’s Narendra Modi’s visit. We condemn it,” Shivakumar said. “Karnataka is a peace-loving state. Kannadigas are an educated lot,” he added