Srirama Sene leader Pramod Muthalik and 140 supporters were arrested in Karnataka as a preventive measure in a police crackdown on the Hindutva fringe group today in the wake of their threats to disrupt Saturday's Valentine's Day celebrations.
The arrests which were continuing tonight came even as right wing groups and 'moral policemen' came under police watch especially in Bangalore, Mangalore and the four metros to prevent any cupid chaos following threats to prey on lovers.
Muthalik was arrested at Kamalapura when he was travelling from Bidar towards Gulbarga while in Bangalore city around 140 Sena activists were rounded up and remanded to judicial custody till February 16.
"Muthalik has been taken into preventive custody", state ADGP (Law & Order), AR Infant said.
"All precautionary measures have been taken and all station house officers have been asked to be alert so that there is no untoward incident tomorrow," Karnataka Home minister VS Acharya said, adding "It is out responsibility to see that no one takes law into their hand." The Sri Ram Sene has also threatened to marry off couples who are dating.
The arrested persons have been booked under various sections of IPC including 153A (promoting enemity among various religious groups and sections) 355 (causing injury to honour of women) among others, Bidari said. Unconfirmed reports said the Sene's convener in Mangalore Prasad Attavar was also picked up police.
As dreamy-eyed couples prepare to imbibe Westernised thoughts of romance, the Valentine's Day celebrations in the country is again showing signs of becoming an annual battle between the romantics and activists of right wing groups.
With reminders going out from some outfits that the festivities are "alien"" to Indian culture, elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure trouble free celebrations.
Police said leaders of outfits like Sri Ram Sene and Rashtriya Hindu Sene are especially under the scanner to ensure that any protests does not snowball into a major law and order problem.
Bangalore Police commissioner Shankar Bidari said, "We have so far arrested about 140 suspects who can cause disturbances tomorrow and remanded to judicial custody till February 16. Arrests are continuing", Bangalore City police commissioner Shankar Bidari said.
In Bangalore, 18,000 police personnel had been deployed to provide security cover, Bidari said, adding all pubs, bars and restaurants, schools, colleges and even shops selling Valentine Day cards will be provided security.
In the capital, Police made elaborate security arrangements in the wake of the Sene's plans to have 10 mobile teams to scour the city to ensure that couples do not resort to public display of affection in an obscene manner.
