Cops go into overdrive for smooth launch

Cops go into overdrive for smooth launch
Author: Madhusudan Maney Date: 24 May 2008

Whisk away protestors to Kengeri to prevent them from creating trouble at the BIA inauguration


HEAR US OUT: KRV activists, who blocked the junction at Mekhri Circle, want BIAL to be renamed Kempe Gowda International Airport Pic/MADHUSUDAN Maney

Amidst high drama, the police rounded up activists of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) when they tried to block traffic at the busy Mekhri Circle junction yesterday.

The protestors were demanding that the government rename Bengaluru International Airport as Kempe Gowda International Airport.

They also wanted equal representation for Kannadigas in jobs at BIAL.
The protest would have turned violent, as one of the activists accidentally slipped under a BMTC bus, which was about to leave with those who had been arrested. However, he was saved in time.

Disappointed

The protestors were disappointed that they were only allowed to walk up to Mekhri Circle, and couldn’t make it to the BIAL.

Around 100 activists were arrested and taken to Kengeri. They were released around 11 pm. This was a precautionary measure to ensure there was no trouble during the inauguration of the new airport.

“We will fight for justice till the name of BIAL is changed to Kempe Gowda International Airport. We are not going to keep quiet till our demand is fulfilled,” said KRV president Narayana Gowda.

A man, who was trying to get away from the group, probably to abandon the protest, was caught by the police. He too was pushed into a police vehicle. Later he was told to board a BMTC bus along with the other arrested protestors and taken to Kengeri.

“We are not taking chances,” said a senior officer.