BENGALURU: The Karnataka government intends to bar Congress workers from taking part in the Mekedatu padayatra at the Kanakapura border, just before they reach Mekedatu. As the standoff between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress over the matter continues, the police department has built barricades throughout the Ramnagar area and dispatched 2,000 officers to monitor the situation.

The Ramnagar district administration have imposed prohibitory orders across the board. Thousands of employees from surrounding regions are scheduled to participate in the padayatra, according to Congress leaders.

According to police department sources, reserve forces and extra staff have been maintained on standby. They are also prepared to take action against padayatra participants and are awaiting instructions from the administration in this regard.

According to Congress sources, if the government takes punitive action, it will benefit the opposition by tarnishing the image of the ruling BJP in the state. Officers who are in a pickle over the circumstance have decided to behave in accordance with the situation until the government issues direct directions. The Congress has begun planning for the Mekedatu padayatra and has made provisions for labourers to be fed and housed along the route at choultries and school grounds. The Mekedatu Padaytra will begin on January 9 and end on January 19.

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