Hunsur/ Mysuru: An uneasy calm prevailed in Hunsur this morning after yesterday’s showdown between the State Government and Hindu activists over the arrest of MP Pratap Simha as he tried to enter the communally sensitive town to participate in Hanuma Jayanti celebrations. There is a heavy posse of Police, numbering over 2,500 guarding Hunsur. The Police have shifted the giant Hanuman idol that was meant for procession to a temple and have cancelled the procession. Simha was taken into preventive custody and was released at T. Narasipur late yesterday. Over 6 persons were injured in clashes and stone pelting and more than 50 people were arrested yesterday. Following Simha’s release, the BJP Yuva Morcha that had called for Hunsur Bandh today withdrew the bandh call and the protest scene was shifted to Mysuru where BJP activists led by MP Shobha Karandlaje protested at Gandhi Square. After Eid-Meelad celebrations on Saturday, the Police had restricted rallies in the name of Lord Hanuman. Mysuru district Police had thrown a security cover around Hunsur and had set up 20 check-posts on all the roads leading to Hunsur. While buses and autos plied normally and shops remained open in Hunsur this morning, about 20 percent of the shops in the areas where the clashes took place yesterday remained closed. The district administration had declared a holiday as a precautionary measure following the bandh call. As such, all educational institutions remained closed today despite the withdrawal of bandh. Students and teachers could not reach schools as the bandh was withdrawn after 8 am today.
Hanuman statue shifted
