Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Apr 16: On the occasion of the annual car festival of Lord Mahalingeshwara temple here, president of Omkara Yuvaka Vrinda, Manohar Kallare, had obtained permission from the municipality and office of the subdivisional officer here to hang flags and buntings on the road between Elmudi here to Raghavendra Math, Kallare. The activists of the organization had accordingly decorated the road as per this permission. The people in general and members of the Vrinda in particular are aghast at the sudden, unexpected removal of the flags and buntings by municipal authorities without notice.

The organization had paid Rs 3,165 for the said permission. The buntings were to serve the Pete Savari of Lord Mahalingeshwara idol and also a programme pertaining to Raghavendra Math. Considering the local religious beliefs, assistant commissioner here, H K Krishnamurty, who also happens to be the electoral officer, had issued conditional special permission for decorating the road from April 5 to 18. But on Saturday April 14, municipal commissioner here, Roopa Shetty and other staff of the munipality suddenly cleared the flags and buntings, it is said.

Condemning the removal of the flags and buntings set up by them, Hindu leaders and members of Omkara Yuvaka Vrinda offered special prayers to Lord Mahalingeshwara here. They felt that the buntings and flags were, in all possibility, removed under pressure from municipal president. Manohar Kallare said that the Lord was approached with a prayer to grant good sense to everyone who ruffled the religious sentiments of the people here.

In the meanwhile, municipal commissioner of the city municipality here, Roopa Shetty, clarified that the flags and buntings set up by Omkara Yuvaka Vrinda between Elmudi and Kallare Raghavendra Math were removed in accordance with the election code of conduct and as per the decision taken by the municipality. She said that this was not done at the behest of any individual but in discharge duties expected of the officials as per election code of conduct, duly adding that flags and buntings cannot be erected across the road.