Ankola: With the district administration prohibiting animal slaughter (sacrifice) during Shri Shantadurga Devi festival in the taluk, villagers protested downing shutters of shops around the temple, on Tuesday.

Vishwa Prani Kalyana Mandali President Dayanand Swamy had filed a complaint with the District Administration and the High Court, condemning the animal slaughter in the district.

Plaint filed

Based on his complaint, the district administration had issued the prohibition order, saying no animal sacrifice be held at the Hire Honnappa temple.

Security measures were beefed up by BSF and KSRP staff. Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde and Janata Dal(Secular) candidate Anand Asnotikar visited the spot and talked to the protesters.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Shankar Marihal and CPI B Pramod Kumar were in-charge of the security team.