Pramesh S Jain
Traffic movement at the busy KIMCO Junction on Mysuru Road was disrupted for about 15 minutes on Monday after more than 100 supporters of Congress MLA M.Krishnappa staged a protest against the State Government for not inducting their leader into the newly expanded Cabinet.
The supporters assembled at the junction without prior notice,shouted slogans against the government and blocked traffic,resulting in congestion on the busy Bengaluru–Mysuru Road.
Senior police officers rushed to the spot with additional personnel and persuaded the protesters to disperse.
Police also warned the demonstrators that legal action could be initiated for violating the High Court’s directions against unlawful protests and for obstructing traffic.The entire protest was video-recorded for evidence.
“It was a snap protest that lasted around 15 minutes, after which traffic was restored.
Our immediate concern was to ensure there was no disruption to buses arriving from the neighbouring state in view of the prevailing situation,”a senior police officer said.
Police said a detailed report has been submitted to senior officers,and further legal action will be decided after receiving instructions.
Meanwhile,a similar protest was reported in Mysuru, where supporters of Congress MLA Tanveer Sait raised slogans against the ruling party,alleging that senior leaders had been sidelined in the Cabinet expansion.
The protesters also demanded that Sait resign to send a strong message to the party leadership.
