Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV/EP)

Mangaluru, Mar 1: Sadhvi Balika Saraswati from Madhya Pradesh, who will deliver the main address at the Virat Hindu Samajotsava to be held on March 1 at Nehru Maidan, was accorded a warm welcome at Mangaluru airport here on the night of Saturday February 28.

She was received by VHP leaders including M B Puranik, and welcomed with a garland.

She then proceeded to the house of VHP district secretary Manohar's residence at Thokkottu.

High security in city and outskirts

The police department has deployed tight security in the city and surroundings to ensure a peaceful Hindu Samajotsava being organized by VHP at Nehru Maidan here on Sunday March 1 as part of its golden jubilee celebrations.

In a press release, police commissioner S Murugan informed that 385 picketing points, 47 sector mobile sectors and 38 check posts have been identified and 5 DySPs, 7 circle police inspectors, 41 police sub-inspectors, 59 assistant sub-inspectors, 712 head/police constables and police officers have been called from other districts.

As many as 600 police officers and personnel have been stationed in sensitive areas, and CCTV cameras have been installed at over 100 spots in highly sensitive areas. In addition to this, 250 home guards and 15 KSRP and 15 DAR squads are deployed. Also, 13 sector magistrates and 76 additional sector magistrates have been appointed by the district administration to monitor the situation.

Emergency services like fire squads and ambulances will be on standby at various points.

The police commissioner urged the public not to give importance to rumours and keep faith in the police and the district administration. "No one should give opportunity for untoward incidents. If law is violated proper action will be taken against those responsible," he warned.

Traffic diversions

Considering the large number of people who are likely to arrive in vehicles for the Samajotsava, the police department has ordered the following changes in the flow of traffic on March 1:

1. Parking of all vehicles at Nehru Maidan and surrounding area within a radius of 500 metres is prohibited from 10 am till the end of the event.

2. All vehicles arriving for the programme from Udupi-Surathkal side move via Kottara Chowki-Lady Hill-Lal Bagh and PVS and let people alight at Bunts Hostel. The vehicles have to be then parked either at Ramakrishna College grounds or C V Nayak Hall grounds.

3. All vehicles arriving from Moodbidri should move via Nanthoor circle, Mallikatte and let passengers alight at Bunts Hostel and park their vehicles at Ramakrishna College grounds, C V Nayak Hall grounds, or Padua High School grounds.

4. Vehicles arriving for the programme from Bantwal-Kasargod should move via Pumpwell, Kankanady Karavali Circle, Bendoorwell Horticulture junction, SCS Balmatta junction, drop the passengers there and proceed via Bendorewell, Karavali circle, Kankanady, Valencia, Koti Chennayya circle and park their vehicles in Vaman Nayak grounds or arrive via Mangaladevi and park them at Emmekere grounds or go out from the city via Mahakalipadpu-Jeppinamogaru.

5. KSRTC buses heading to KSRTC bus stand from Pumpwell should move via Nanthoor-KPT-Kuntikana-Baliga Stores and go back by the same route.

6. Vehicles arriving from Udupi to State Bank but not for the programme, should ply via Lady Hill-Gokarnanatheshwara Temple, lower Car Street and Azizuddin road and go back via Lady Goshen - Hampankatta - KS Rao Road.

7. Vehicles arriving from Nanthoor and Pumpwell but not for the programme, should ply via Kankanady-Valencia-Mangaladevi-Rosario-Hamilton road and go back via Lady Goshen-Hampankatta-KS Rao Road.

City and service buses and other emergency vehicles are allowed to ply on other roads depending on traffic density.

The restrictions do not apply to police vehicles and emergency services. Necessary signboards have been put up and markings done on roads to avoid confusion, a press statement informed.