BJP, CPM brace for Janmashtami rally

The CPM activists have also submitted a plan for a cultural procession at the same time and on the same route under the banner of Bala Sangam. The police have asked the CPM to change the time and route and submit a fresh application, which is unlikely, as per sources.

“The district CPM leaders had told us that they would ask the cadres to change the route and timing of their cultural procession on Janmashtami during the peace meeting held here on Tuesday. However, we have not got any fresh application from the cadres so far,” Mr Saju Paul, DySP Kannur, told Deccan Chronicle.

The CPM activists may also organise their procession without the permission of the police and clashes are likely if they try to conduct it on the same route planned by the BJP.

The police had permitted the Balagokulam procession as it had been an age-old practice during Janmashtami.

“The CPM is conducting such a religious procession for the first time in the history of Kannur. So we cannot allow them to take out the procession on the same route designated for the Balagokulam procession. We have made this clear at the peace meeting itself. If they try to take out a procession without police permission, we will have to take action against them,” Mr Saju Paul added.

Meanwhile, the police will call a CI-level meeting at all circles to chalk out a plan for Saturday. “The CIs have been told to give permission to the Bala Sangam procession if they change the timing and route. We will deploy our personnel well in advance to avoid any untoward incident. We will get clarity regarding their plans by tomorrow evening,” the DySP added.