MYSURU: The police had imposed Section 144 and beefed up security in communally sensitive Hunsur on the occasion of Eid Milad on Saturday and Hanuma Jayanthi on Sunday.
As a preventing measure, Mysuru district police on Sunday arrested Lok Sabha MP Pratap Simha even before he could reach Hunsur to participate in Hanuma Jayanthi celebration.
The arrest took place after high drama. When the police tried to prevent Mr Simha at Bilikere itself, his vehicle reportedly hit a police barricade. However, the police succeeded in preventing him from reaching Hunsur and arrested him.
Bilikere police have filed cases of rash driving, obstructing duty under Section 353, 332 and 229 of IPC.
The police also had to resort to mild lathi charge to disperse a group in Hunsur and arrested few as a preventive measure. They also did not permit Hanuma jayanthi procession on Sunday.
Union Minister of State for Skill Development Entrepreneurship Ananthkumar Hegde, who visited Hunsur, condemned the arrest and police action. “State government conspired to prevent Hindu practices. We have called for Hunsur bandh on Monday,” he said.
Chikkamagaluru MLA C.T. Ravi also condemned the arrest of Mr Simha. After Mr Simha was not released till evening, some BJP workers reportedly staged hunger strike near the spot where he was arrested, calling for his release.
IGP Southern Range Vipul Kumar told Deccan Chronicle that the situation was totally under control at Hunsur.
