Bengaluru, DHNS: The police have heightened security in Bengaluru city, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagaram, Mysuru and Mandya districts, soon after the Cauvery Supervisory Committee directed the state government to release 3,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for the next 10 days.

The police conducted flag marches in many areas in the city on Monday evening. Additional forces have been deployed in sensitive areas fearing violent protests on Tuesday. The Supreme Court will also hear the Cauvery water dispute case on Tuesday.

Home Minister G Parameshwara chaired an emergency meeting of senior police officers at the Vikasa Soudha on?Monday evening and reviewed the security arrangements. “The police have taken adequate measures to maintain law and order. Stern action will be taken against those who indulge in violence,” Parameshwara told reporters after the meeting.

“We discussed areas of deployment, if violence breaks out on Tuesday. We also discussed what should be the security arrangements in Bengaluru. DG&IGP Om prakash and City Police Commissioner N S Megharik will take necessary measures,” he added.

Parmeshwara directed the police to keep water jets, tear gas shells and fire tenders ready at sensitive areas. He directed the police officers to impose curfew if need be.

Parameshwara has requested the leaders of Kannada organisations to maintain peace. He toured the city on Monday night.

He visited several areas and police stations to review the situation. Over 15,000 policemen will be on duty on Tuesday.

The police have taken 200 persons into preventive custody. The police had summoned over 3,000 persons to police stations for questioning and also warned them of strict action if they indulge in violence.

Security has been enhanced at the Kempegowda International Airport, railway stations, bus terminals, Metro stations, malls and other public places. As a precautionary measure, only one gate was kept open at all the Metro stations after 8 pm on Monday. However, there was no disruption in services.

The police took leaders of pro-Kannada organisations into preventive custody and released them later, when they attempted to block vehicular movement near Attibele on Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border on Monday. The protesters led by Kannada Chalavali Vatal Paksha chief Vatal Nagaraj, squatted on the road and attempted to block vehicular movement.
Liquor shops closed today

In view of intelligence alerts on possible protests and violence in Bengaluru on Tuesday, the police have ordered closure of liquor shops. “I have personally verified the intelligence alerts. There are inputs that anti-social elements may indulge in violence under the influence of alcohol. Hence, I have ordered the closure of bars, pubs, wineshops and liquor outlets between 6 am (Tuesday) and 1 am (Wednesday),” said, Police Commissioner N S Megharikh. The order is not applicable to clubs, star hotels and military canteens.