Situation in state remains peaceful

The law and order situation in Karnataka by and large remained peaceful throughout the day. The state government had put in place tight security in all sensitive areas across the state to prevent any untoward incidents post Ayodhya title suit verdict.

The police had arrested nearly 1,000 anti-social elements as a precautionary measure. Ban orders under Sec 144 of the CrPC had been clamped across the state and the BJP government had banned public gatherings, celebrations and bursting of crackers for two days.

Around 50,000 police personnel, besides Home Guards had been deployed across the state as part of the elaborate security arrangements. In addition, about 150 platoons of District Armed Reserve (DAR), Central Armed Reserve (CAR), 200 platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and around 12,000 Home Guards were deployed.

Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa had appealed to the people to exercise restraint. The government had declared two-day holiday for educational institutions. For the past two weeks, peace and inter-faith meetings are being held across Karnataka to ensure communal harmony.

With a number of IT and BT firms declaring half day and, schools and colleges remaining closed for two days from today, roads in the IT hub appeared deserted, with even the government staff taking a long weekend off.

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation plied its buses as usual but fewer number of auto rickshaws were seen on the roads. A large number of shops and malls had shut down as a precautionary measure. Most of the roads in the city of Bangalore wore deserted look.