Villagers have shut down shops resulting in a Bandh

A gas cutter was used for dislodging the flag

Incident ocurred in Keragodu region of the Mandya district

The decision by the district administration to remove a flag of Lord Hanuman has resulted in outrage among villagers. In a demonstration of outrage, the villagers have shut down shops resulting in a Bandh in the Keragodu region of the Mandya district. 

They persuaded the administration to take back the decision to remove the flag. A tense atmosphere prevailed in the district prompting the invocation of Section 144. The police attempted to pacify the protestors. However an argument ensued between the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Shivakumar and other administrators and the villagers. The protestors were not willing to concede. 

The administrations were however not deterred by the protest and proceeded to remove the flag along with the flag pole. A gas cutter was used for dislodging the flag. Some of the youngsters and women shed tears when this happened. Posters of Indian National Congress (INC) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Ganiga Ravikumar were attacked with slippers. 

When the situation escalated, the police resorted to lathi charge. The police also got into a verbal spat with the villagers over the preventive custody of some protestors. 2 Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and District Armed Reserves (DAR) cumulatively consisting of close to 100 officers have been stationed in Keragou to contain the situation.