Pics: Daya Kukkaje/Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Sep 6: While the 'Mangaluru Chalo' motor bike rally being taken out by BJP Yuvamorcha has been denied permission already, it is gathered that there are chances of the police department giving permission to BJP to hold its convention at Nehru Maidan here.

Head of city commissionerate here, T R Suresh, said that while permission for motor bike rally has been denied, president of Dakshina Kannada BJP Yuvamorcha has sought permission for holding convention, and that the police have asked him to furnish certain additional details. "Once we receive the details, we will study them and decide about giving permission for the convention," he clarified.

It is said that a section within the BJP is opposed to holding of convention as they feel that holding of convention would be meaningful only if it is held with the culmination of bike rally. The party leaders are learnt to have organized a series of meetings, and a final decision might be out by Wednesday evening.

Tight police security has been arranged all over the city and entire Dakshina Kannada district to see that restriction placed on bike rally is strictly enforced and no untoward incidents occur. A platoon of rapid action force, 15 contingents of Karnataka State Reserve Police, and 15 platoons of city armed reserve police are being deployed for the purpose. Six superintendents of police and ten inspectors from other districts,who have the previous experience of working in the district, have been deputed to this district for the purpose.

Police sources said that in case permission for the convention is not being given, prohibitory orders under section 144 might be enforced in the city. If the convention is held, prohibitory orders as per section 35 of Police Act is likely to be imposed, they added.

A march past comprising rapid action force, Karnataka State Reserve Police and city armed reserve police along with police officers moved through Mogaveerapatna, Kotepura, Kody, Thokkottu Junction, Kuthar etc in the light of denial of permission for bike rally. Police department has already set up check posts at various places on district border to stop bike rallies if they come from outside the district. Arrangements have also been made to stop efforts that might be made by rally organizers to sneak into the district by using alternative routes.

Dakshina Kannada district BJP Yuvamorcha president, Harish Punja, said that police commissioner had been approached for permission for holding convention, and the commissioner had orally agreed. He said that a final decision might be out by Wednesday. He added that in spite of police department's efforts, BJP will carry out its action plan successfully.

BJP Udupi district president, Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, said that about 3,000 bikes from the district will take part in the rally, which will begin at 4.30 pm on September 6 from Shirur near Byndoor. A meeting will be held the same day at at 5.30 pm at Kundapur, after which the rally will move to Manipal and stay for the night there. He said that a decision about future action plan will be taken only if the police block the rally. District superintendent of police, Sanjeev M Patil, said that bike rally has no permission in the district and action will be taken against those who violate law. He said police have been deployed in good numbers at all places and in case of disruption of peace, arrests may become necessary.

It is said that BJP is planning to hold the bike rally as planned in spite of it having been banned. District level BJP leaders deputed to taluks have held meetings and finalized departure time, place where the rallies will meet and move ahead etc.