50,000 cops on bandh duty today

The Home Department has made elaborate security arrangements to ensure law and order across the State on Saturday in view of a Karnataka Bandh call given by over 1,000 associations. " We have ensured necessary measures to thwart any attempts of violence and there will be tight security in place," Director General and Inspector General of Police Om Prakash told Deccan Herald. " About 50,000 policemen will be put on security duties on Saturday across the State. There will be additional forces in Dharwad, Gadag, Belagavi and Haveri districts, the epicentre of the bandh. Police commissioners of various commissionerates and IGPs have been directed to supervise the security arrangements personally. Leaves of officers and subordinate staff have been cancelled and they have been directed to report for the duties immediately," he said. The police will sternly deal with those trying to take law into their hands and indulge in the destruction of public and private properties.   DHNS