Padayatra: 30 Cong leaders booked for Covid rules violation
   Date :11-Jan-2022

KPCC chief Shivakumar speaks
 
 
BENGALURU :
 
THE Opposition Congress’ ‘padayatra’ demanding implementation of the Mekedatu reservoir project across the Cauvery river entered the second day on Monday, even as the police has booked senior party leaders including Siddaramiah and D K Shivakumar for taking out the protest defying COVID-19 curbs. FIRs have been registered against nearly 30 Congress leaders and others, official sources said. FIRs have been filed against Congress’ State President Shivakumar, Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Siddaramaiah, Bengaluru Rural MP D K Suresh and several other prominent party leaders and personalities at Sathanur police station for defying restrictions on Sunday.
 
They said cases have been registered for violation of COVID rules and prohibitory orders, under the Disaster Management act and sections of the IPC. However, Congress leaders and workers are continuing their march for the second day on Monday, and are scheduled to cover a distance of about 15 km from Shivakumar’s native Doddalahalli to Kanakapura. The Government has imposed curfew on weekends and restricted public gatherings to fight the surge in COVID-19 cases, till January 19. It has also prohibited all rallies, dharnas and protests, among others, as part of containment measures. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, hitting out at Congress leaders for continuing their march, said the law will take its course against the organisers and important people who have violated rules.