KANNUR: Under heavy police deployment, Krishna Janmashtami processions of BJP and CPM ended on a peaceful note in Kannur on Saturday.
As many as 300 processions were conducted under the aegis of Balagokulam, controlled by BJP, and 134 by Balasangham and Purogamna Kalasahitya Sangham of the red party.
Though Balasangham had organised the celebration as the conclusion of the Onam festivities, the purpose is to lure back the youth deserting the left fort to join the saffron party.
While the Balagokulam’s procession was marked with the usual colorful display of tableaux from the life of Krishna, the rival rally was unique.
The participants held high the pictures and caricatures of legendary CPM leaders like AKG, EMS and E.K. Nayanar.
The presence of ‘Krishna’ and ‘Gopika’ in the CPM rally underlined that the programme has nothing to do with Onam but has a political tone.
Police had allotted different time slots to both the parties under various circle limits to avoid confrontation.
“Around 600 police personnel were additionally deployed in the district. One company of RPF camped at Thalassery and Iritti areas,” said superintendent of police P.N. Unnirajan. But there were fewer people to watch the processions in the city unlike in the past.
Kannur wore a deserted look by Saturday noon. People scrambled to reach home as if some untoward incident is going to happen. In rural areas, crowds thronged to watch little ‘Krishnas’ and ‘Gopikas’.
