Uttara Kannada (Karnataka): Karnataka police have lodged FIRs on activists of the Popular Front of India (PFI) including an advocate for allegedly attempting to force closure of shops and observe bandh against verdict of the Special Bench of the High Court on hijab issue, police said on Wednesday.
According to police, cases were registered against the accused persons at Bhatkal police station, Azeem Ahmad, Mohiddeen Abeer, Shareek and advocate Taimur Hussain Gawayi.
The police have lodged FIRs on IPC sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting) and 290 (public nuisance). It was alleged that the the accused forced closure of shops and commercial establishments on March 15 against the verdict of the High Court on hijab row.
Police have beefed up security in and around the coastal town of Bhatkal regarded by police as prone to trouble in such situations. The 'Tanjeem' organisation in Bhatkal had given out a call for bandh in the town and many traders have closed their shops voluntarily.
The ruling BJP and Hindutva organisations have alleged that PFI, Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and Campus Front of India (CFI) are behind raking up the hijab row in the state.
The special bench of Karnataka High Court, on Tuesday dismissed the petitions of students who wanted to be allowed to wear hijab in educational institutions.
(Based on IANS inputs)