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Karnataka government braces for bandh

Fakir Chand in Bangalore

The Karnataka government has deployed about 10,000 security personnel throughout the state to maintain law and order in the wake of the fans of Kannada film icon Dr Rajakumar having called a Karnataka bandh on Thursday even as the thespian's three sons assured that they would do their utmost to see that the bandh passed off peacefully.

About 3,000 security personnel, including the Rapid Action Force, have been told to take up positions in Bangalore alone. These include eight companies of the Central Reserve Police Force and 155 platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police. Authorities have also deployed hundreds of policemen and home guards to prevent any law and order problem in the state.

The bandh call has been given by the actor's fans, family members and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce to express solidarity with Dr Rajakumar who is being held captive by forest brigand Veerappan along with three others in the Satyamangalam forests.

Rajakumar Fans' Association president S R Govindu said the objective of the bandh was to draw the attention of the Centre to the crisis which has entered the 59th day. "The Centre should treat it as a national problem and do whatever possible to bail out Dr Rajakumar," he said.

State Home Minister Mallikarjun Kharge told the media on Wednesday that the government had made elaborate arrangements in conformity with the orders of the Karnataka high court as well as the observations made by the Supreme Court early this month.

"The high court has directed the organisers not to enforce the bandh forcibly. At the same time, the government has been instructed to take appropriate measures to maintain law and order throughout the state," he added.

Kharge said that preventive arrests were being made. Already, about 1,400 known trouble makers have been rounded up in the last two months.

State Director General of Police C Dinakar told rediff.com that the police have declared the entire old Mysore region comprising the four districts of Bangalore, Mandya, Mysore, and Chamrajnagar as highly sensitive.

"We have also categorised a couple of cities and towns in other parts of the state falling under the Malnad region as well as the northern region, such as Shimoga, Davangere, Hubli-Dharwad and Gulbarga, as trouble-prone areas," Dinakar claimed.

Kharge also conveyed the appeal of Chief Minister S M Krishna to the Rajakumar Fans' Association and KFCC to call off the bandh.

Kharge also played the 5-minute audio cassette containing Dr Rajakumar's message. The latest cassette was rushed to Bangalore by journalist-emissary R Raja Gopal through his aide. A copy was also delivered to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in Madras in the wee hours.

In his message, Dr Rajakumar said, "As you all aware, the 10-day Dusshera festival begins on September 28th with special functions being held in Mysore with the blessings of Goddess Chamundeshwari. We all know how significant and auspicious the occasion is as it is the main festival for all of us."

"You should do nothing that will bring disrepute to me and inconvenience the public. If you all have any value and respect for me, and concern for my life, please ensure that the bandh is observed peacefully without causing any law and order problem," he appealed

Responding to this message, his three sons - Shivaraj, Raghavendra and Puneet - have told their father that they would abide by his appeal and do nothing of the sort that would bring bad name to the family. Their message was broadcast by the Bangalore station of the All India Radio every two to three hours on Wednesday.

"We will ensure that peace prevails throughout the state and see to it that law and order is not disrupted at any cost while observing the bandh on Thursday. The day will pass off smoothly as per your wishes."

Parvathamma also conveyed a message to Dr Rajakumar through AIR.

ALSO SEE
'You who let Tamil blood flow like water!'

The Rajakumar Abduction: complete coverage
The saga of Veerappan

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