Bagalkot riots: Police extend curbs till Feb 28

Bagalkot: Right-wing organisations are preparing for a protest on Feb 26, while the police department is trying to prevent it.The recent incident of stone-pelting during the Shivaji Jayanti procession in the city has now taken on another dimension. There was a demand in a meeting of Hindu communities to arrest everyone involved in the stone-pelting. Meanwhile, the police department is issuing a series of warnings regarding the protest scheduled for Thursday.The district administration extended the prohibition order, which was imposed on Feb 20, until Feb 28. This was limited to the old Bagalkot area, while the prohibition was lifted in Navanagar. "Due to the prohibition, there is no permission for the protest. Strict action is assured," warned the SP Siddhartha Goyal. Officials appealed on social media for people not to attend the protest on Feb 26.Meanwhile, it is reported that notices were issued to more than 150 leaders of various organisations in the district by the department. The notice states, "Strict legal action will be taken against individuals who disrupt peace and order by violating the prohibition."In light of the protest, tight police security was implemented in the city. Police are keeping watch at strategic locations. Additional police forces were deployed in the old Bagalkot area, including Killa. Barricades were removed in the Killa areas.