Bengaluru: Following state government order prohibiting Congress Padayatra from Mekedatu to Bengaluru amidst Covid 19 pandemic, the Ramanagara district authorities have made elaborate arrangements to prevent Mekedatu Padayatra in Ramanagara itself. 

Padayatra has entered the fifth day on Thursday and entered Ramanagara on Wednesday evening. Police have put barricades to prevent the Congress workers to proceed further. Additional police have been deployed to arrest the Congress leaders and workers for breaking Covid guidelines. 

Following High Court displeasure, the state government has acted, banning Mekedatu Padayatra in the name of Namma Neeru, Nammu Hakku. Chief Secretary has ordered prohibiting the Padayatra. 

Soon after the issuance of the order, senior police officials have served notice to KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar and Bengaluru Rural MP, D.K. Suresh, informing them about the government order prohibiting Padayatra. 

Police have come to our house to serve the notice at night, but the notice was signed by the DC, who has tested Covid positive, since Covid positive patient signed the notice, we have not received the same, because according to a standard operating procedure, we should not receive the notice till 48 hours. The government has to try to suppress our voice for water. 

Congress leaders meeting 

Following High Court wrath and State government order, Congress leaders, D.K. Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah and other leaders have held meeting at the KPCC office at Ramanagara regarding a future course of action. Police have warned the Congress leaders that if they break the Covid rules, it is inevitable for police to arrest them. Police have been making arrangements to arrest the Congress leaders if they have not cancelled the Padayatra. 

Majority of the leaders have the opinion that considering the Pandemic and Court intervention, it is better to stop Padayatra or postpone the same.