Chikkamagaluru, Hassan gear up for Rahul’s visit

CHIKKAMAGALURU/ HASSAN: The Chikkamagaluru and Hassan units of Congress are giving final touches to the one-day tour of AICC president Rahul Gandhi.
Elaborate police security arrangements are in place in both the districts. Additional forces from the neighboring districts have been called in to ensure foolproof security.

Chikkamagaluru District Congress Committee (DCC) president D L Vijay Kumar told TOI: “Rahul Gandhi will address party workers in Sringeri and Chikkamagaluru, where he will have his lunch. We will serve him authentic Malnad recipes, including non-vegetarian.”

Chikkamagaluru SP K Annamalai said all the security arrangements are in place. On Tuesday, IGP (West) Soumendu Mukherjee visited Sringeri and Chikkamagaluru and reviewed the security arrangements.

Meanwhile in Hassan, police have made elaborate arrangements. According to sources in the department, more than 200 additional police personnel have been deployed for security. Hassan SP Rahul Kumar Shahapurwad said all the security measures are in place.

Tension in Hassan

Hassan city witnessed tense moments on Tuesday following a tussle between JD(S) and Congress workers over banners and flexes welcoming Rahul Gandhi.

It started in the morning with JD(S) workers raising objections to the flexes and banners put up by the Congress across the city stating that plastic was banned in the city. At one point, the Hassan City Municipal Council, where JD(S) is in power, decided to remove all the banners with the help of police protection which sparked tension. As the news spread, Congress leaders led by DCC president Javagal Manjunath held a protest stating they have permission from the council to tie flexes and banners. Council president Anil Kumar sat on a protest with the council members in front of the council office alleging that banners and flexes were destroying the environment.

A JD(S) delegation led by city MLA H S Prakash met DC Rohini Sindhuri demanding action against the banners and flexes. A group of JD(S) activists also tried to block the busy Bengaluru-Mangaluru road causing traffic congestion. Congress activists also held a counter protest causing tension. The situation returned to normal following intervention of police who dispersed the mob.