Karnataka: Police extend imposition of restrictions in tense Mangaluru till August 8

Police also banned male pillion drivers on two-wheelers from 6am to 6pm, but the order was withdrawn after a public outcry.

BySaurav Kumar

Published Aug 05, 2022 | 8:36 AMUpdatedAug 16, 2022 | 1:58 PM

Police in Shivamogga

No protest gatherings or slogan shouting. No carrying of weapons or storing of stones. No inflammatory speeches or public funerals.

The many restrictions that came with the imposition of prohibitory orders under section 144 in the entire Mangaluru Police Commissionerate has been extended from 5am on 5 August till 5am on 8 August, according to Mangaluru City Police Commissioner N. Shashi Kumar.

The restrictions have been imposed in view of the three back-to-back killings the region has seen. The list of prohibited activities includes:

  • Slogan shouting, singing, making signs and displaying posters in public places has been banned.
  • Any act that disturbs public decorum, threatens public safety and instigates crime has been prohibited.
  • Assembly of more than five people in public places  is prohibited.
  • Carrying weapons, swords, sticks, knives or anything that can cause physical harm has been banned.
  • Bursting of crackers and carrying of explosives have been banned.
  • Displaying effigies and public funerals have also been banned.
  • Stones cannot be stored at any place.
  • Derogatory or inflammatory speeches cannot be made against government institutions and officials on duty.
  • All activities that disturb public peace or hurt any caste, religion or group have been banned.
  • All processions have been banned, except government events.

Hours before the extension of the prohibitory orders, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order, Alok Kumar had declared that there would be a ban on male pillion riders in Dakshina Kannada and that the ban would be in effect from 6 am to 6 pm for a week.

But after an hour, the decision was withdrawn after a public outcry.

The extension of prohibitory order comes in the backdrop of two murders in last few days in Sullia and Surathkal towns. 

On the night of 26 July, BJP worker Praveen Nettaru  was hacked to death. The following day, anticipating protests, the police had imposed section 144 in Sullia town.

Two days after Praveen’s death, Mohammed Fazil was murdered in the Mangalpet area of Surathkal, which led to the extension of prohibitory orders in the area.