Bengaluru: Amid calls for Kodagu Bandh and protests, the Siddaramaiah government is set to celebrate Tipu Jayanti under high-security cover today.

According to latest information, Section 144 is imposed in Kodagu and security is beefed up.

Stones were reportedly thrown at a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation bus in Madikeri, during protests against the celebrations.

BJP and other outfits, which are opposing the celebrations, will observe it as a Black Day.

At an event in Bengaluru on Thursday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “BJP has double standards. They celebrated Tipu when they were in power. But now, they are opposing the celebrations.”

The celebrations have, meanwhile, been shifted to evening hours in view of the prayer timings of Muslims.

“We have been celebrating Tipu Jayanti since three years and there has been no issues. It is just like observing birthdays of freedom fighters, saints and other inspirational leaders,” said Minister Umashree.

“If BJP’s elected representatives don’t want to participate, we have told district administrations to remove their names from the invitations,” she added.Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, “I have instructed police to act tough against those who try to disturb communal harmony. Requests to take out protest marches and processions have been rejected. Those who try to violate the orders would be dealt with strictly.”

ADGP rank officials have been deployed in Mangaluru, Kodagu and other places to ensure peaceful celebrations of Tipu Jayanti. Elaborate security has been made across the state, especially in coastal areas and Kodagu district to maintain law and order.This will be the first major assignment for newly appointed DG&IGP Neelamani Raju.

Western range IGP Hemant Nimbalkar said, “We have taken many anti-social elements into custody. As many as 4,000 police personnel have been deployed in four districts- Dakshina Kannada, Chikkamagalur, Uttara Kannada and Udupi. Four Rapid Action Force (RAF) and 19 platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and District Armed Reserve (DAR) have been deployed.”

“Two ADGP rank officials- Prathap Reddy and Alok Kumar will monitor policing and IGP rank officers will be deployed in every districts of western range,” sources said.

Good morning beat at sensitive locations

Police have launched ‘Good morning’ beat system to ensure security at religious and other sensitive places ahead of Tipu Jayanti celebrations. Cops have been directed to identify and secure locations and use social media platforms and WhatsApp to connect with the residents.As per the new beat system, policemen will start visiting the sensitive areas from early morning. They will ask residents not to pay heed to rumours and circulate any sensitive message without verifying its authenticity.

Prohibitory orders in Udupi

Udupi SP Sanjeev Patil told Express that additional forces have been deployed in sensitive areas. CCTV cameras have been also installed at violence-prone areas, he added. To prevent any untoward incidents Udupi Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis has clamped prohibitory orders under section 144 of IPC.

Drones deployed in Kodagu district

With Tipu Jayanti Virodhi Samiti declaring a district bandh on Friday, more than 1,500 police personnel, 16 sector magistrates have been deployed to prevent outbreak of violence. For the first time 300 CCTV cameras, drones and 50 internal check posts were installed in sensitive areas, said ADGP Bhaskar Rao (law and order).