Bangalore, Sep 22 (IANS) Karnataka Wednesday declared a two-day holiday for all educational institutions Friday and Saturday, imposed orders restricting gatherings to less than five people, and banned liquor sale here in view of the Sep 24 court verdict on the Ramjanambhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute at Ayodhya.
‘I have decided to declare holiday for all schools and colleges, both government and private, in the state on September 24 and 25 as the Ayodhya verdict is being given on September 24,’ Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa told reporters.
Bangalore city police commissioner Shankar Bidari announced that prohibitory orders, restricting people’s gatherings to less than five, will be in force in the tech hub from 6 a.m. Friday till 6 a.m. Sunday (Sep 26). Sale of liquor also will not be permitted, he said.
The prohibitory orders ban not only assembly of more than five people at a place, but also carrying of lethal weapons, fire arms, meetings and processions other than those for funerals and marriages.
These steps are precautionary measures, Bidari told reporters.
Yeddyurappa said: ‘People of all faiths live harmoniously in Karnataka and I appeal to everybody to maintain this tradition.’
The Congress too appealed for peace after the verdict is pronounced by the Allahabad High Court.
Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is Congress general secretary in-charge of the party’s affairs in Karnataka, said: ‘It is the duty of all parties and people belonging to all castes and religions to maintain peace.’
