Following the demise of Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji, the city police has made elaborate security arrangements at BGS Global hospital near Kengeri, where he died.
More than 500 policemen were deployed at the hospital as thousands of Swami’s disciples and followers flocked the hospital.
Meanwhile, NICE company MD Ashok Kheny was attacked by a few men when he came to pay homage to the Swami at the hospital on Sunday evening. The attackers reportedly were followers of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda.
As Kheny was leaving the hospital after paying his last respects, he confronted Gowda, who had also come to pay homage. He allegedly made some remarks about Gowda, which irked Gowda’s followers. Some of them manhandled and even punched Kheny, an eyewitness said. The police came to Kheny’s rescue and escorted him to his car. They also resorted to mild lathi-charge to disperse the crowd.
Heavy security
Police Commissioner B G Jyothiprakash Mirji and other senior police officers camped at the hospital till the body was taken to the Vijayanagar branch of the Adi Chunchanagiri Mutt.
Mirji told reporters that the police had taken all steps to avoid any untoward incidents. “The body will be taken to Adichunchanagiri Mutt in Vijaynagar, where it will be kept till Monday morning to allow public to pay their last respects. Thereafter, the funeral cortege will leave to mutt’s headquarters near Bellur Cross in Nagamangala. We have made all security arrangements,” he said.
Meanwhile, over 1,000 policemen were deployed at the Mutt in Vijayanagar. The police put barricades on the roads connecting the Mutt and diverted traffic to Vijayanagar sixth block.
In Mandya district, the police have geared up as the last rites will be performed in the district’s Nagamangala taluk. However, the cortege route will be finalised only in the morning, police officials said.