The Kalaburagi police detained around 20 activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Vishwa Hindu Parishad who staged a protest against the State government’s decision to celebrate Tipu Jayanti here on Friday.
Maruti Manpade and seven members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and its allied wings were also arrested by the Shahabad police for organising an indoor public meeting to celebrate Tipu Jayanti despite the police warning. CPI(M) leader Mr. Manpade was whisked away to the Chittapur Town Police Station and the others were taken to the Madbool Police Station and released later.
“The State government cannot force us to take part in the State-sponsored Tipu Jayanti; we want to celebrate the ruler’s birth anniversary on our own. It is undemocratic to deny our rights,” Mr. Manpade added.
Around 100 senior police officials, 2,500 police constables, 300 Home Guards, 20 platoons of District Armed Reserve Police and six contingents of KSRP were deployed in the district.
Meanwhile, prohibitory order under Section 144 was clamped in Kalaburagi, Bidar and Yadgir districts coming under North Eastern Range at midnight on Thursday. It will remain in force till 6 a.m on Saturday.