Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 6: As per information, the police department is seriously considering the desirability of permanently banning any public programmes like protests, conventions and meetings at the Nehru Maidan here.

The police have reportedly contemplating the move as a particular community has been demanding allotment of Nehru Maidan to hold a protest relating to the recent disturbances in the city. With a view to maintain law and order, the police department is contemplating such a step in consultation with the district administration, sources stated.

Various organizations had planned to hold protest on December 19 against Citizenship Ammendment Act. During the disturbances, two had lost lives and several were injured. Muslim Central Committee had planned to hold protest at Nehru Maidan on January 4 but the police denied permission. The committee insisted that it will hold protest at the Maidan, but the police said because of underpass works going on nearby and also vehicular density in the area, the programme could not be held there. It asked the organization to choose some other venue in the city outskirts.

During a programme held here last year, vehicular traffic was thrown out of gear, and case was registered against the organizers. The police commissioner also asked the BJP, which too wanted to hold a programme at Nehru Maidan, to postpone its plan.

Sources say that so far only preliminary discussions have been held by the police department with the district administration about the desirability of barring use of the Maidan for all kinds of public programmes.