Mangaluru: The district administration celebrated Tipu Jayanti at the Zilla Panchayat auditorium on Thursday amidst protests by Bharatiya Janata Party, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal activists.

The Zilla Panchayat office had been cordoned off by police from all sides. A high security was provided on the spot with heavy police, which also included Kerela Armed Police force. Two drones fitted with high resolution cameras captured images of all the activities going on around the spot. Videographers were used to capture people outside and inside the venue. Those entering the venue were also screened.

Even amid such high police the BJP, Bajrang Dal and VHP activists tried to disrupt the Tipu Jayanthi celebrations taking place at the Zilla Panchayat office. The activists including MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and MLC Ganesh Karnik came in different. Mr. Kateel and VHP District President tried to enter from the main road while Mr. Karnik tried to enter from another from a side road. The police stopped the activists.

There was altercation between Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) K.M. Shantaraju and Mr. Kateel when the police tried to pull him into the waiting bus. Activists were arrested and taken away in four KSRTC buses to Panambur, Mangaluru East and Barke police stations.

Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment B. Ramanath Rai, Mayor Harinath, MLA Mohiuddin Bava, MLC Ivan D'Souza, and Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy Chairperson Janaki Brahmavar participated in the function. Congress activists, Zilla Panchayat employees and district-level officers attended the programme.