High alert in Kasargod after violence in Mangaluru during CAA protests

mangaloretoday.com

Kasargod, Dec 20, 2019: Director general of police Loknath Behera has directed superintendents of police in Kasargod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Wayanad to maintain a strict vigil and take action against those who spread rumours.

Kerala’s police chief on Friday called for high alert in five districts in the northern part of the state after violence in neighbouring Karnataka’s Mangaluru where two people were killed in police firing during the protests against the citizenship law.

Director general of police Loknath Behera has directed superintendents of police in Kasargod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Wayanad to maintain a strict vigil and take action against those who spread rumours.

Karnataka’s home minister Basavaraj Bommai has said people from neighbouring Kerala indulged in violence in Mangaluru during the protests after misleading students and others.

Many, including a Kerala government minister, slammed the statement of the Karnataka home minister.

“The Karnataka government is blaming others for its utter failure,” said Kerala’s revenue minister E Chandrasekaran.

Many media houses complained that their reporters were prevented from entering the state at the borders and that their phones were taken away by officials.

Senior journalist and writer TJS George condemned the police crackdown on reporters along the Kerala-Karnataka border, saying the media can’t be stifled.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal also decried action against the media.

As the protest against the new law is gaining momentum in Kerala, police are on their toes and a senior police officer said a special vigil will also be maintained during Friday prayers.