Udupi: K Annamalai, Superintendent of Police, held a press meet at the Conference Hall, SP office here on Saturday, March 7.
Addressing the mediapersons, the SP said that he had imposed prohibitory orders banning Togadia’s entry keeping in view the issue of maintaining law and order. Togadia was scheduled to take part in the VHP convention ‘Hindu Viraat Samavesha’ to be held on March 9. In exercise of the powers vested under Section 144 (3) CrPc, prohibitory orders have been issued banning Praveen Togadia from entering into the district and participating in any public meeting or function for a period of seven days from March 7 to March 13.
“In many parts of the country, including Karnataka, the police have registered 19 criminal cases against Togadia for making inflammatory statements and showing disrespect to the Constitution,” he said.
“The coastal area is known for its history of communal incidents and also in the recent past, incidents having communal overtones have been reported in places like Kundapur, Gangolly and Kaup of Udupi District. The recent communal issues in Gangolly in the month of December 2014 and January 2015, wherein some shops belonging to two communities were targets of arson are still fresh in the minds of the locals.”
“The maintenance of Law and Order is the main duty of the Police and the District Administration, and it is well established in the Law that whenever public safety, peace and tranquility is in danger, it is the duty of the Police and the District administration to maintain it.”
The SP, in his letter dated March 1, 2015 has recommended for the prohibition of entry to Dr Praveen Togadia into Udupi District. Dr R Vishal, the Deputy Commissioner of Udupi District, after analyzing the facts and circumstances has passed the order on March 6, 2015 prohibiting the entry of Dr Praveen Togadia into Udupi District limits and participation in any public meeting and functions for a period of 7 days from 07-03-2015 to 13-03-2015.
Special check posts have been opened in bordering areas and other identified places. “All vehicles will be allowed to enter the district only after thorough checking. We have not deputed local policemen for special duties.”
“Instead, they will be serving in their respective police stations. Arrangements have been made in such a way that police teams will be reaching the spots within 5-10 minutes in case of any untoward incidents,” he said.