Schools, pubs to stay closed

But all other offices and commercial establishments will remain open

With the Babri Masjid-Ram Janambhoomi verdict expected today, all offices and establishments other than schools, colleges, and wine stores will remain open despite the implementation of Section 144 -- prohibiting assembly of four or more people and a ban on holding protests being in force. By the time you read this, it would have come into effect.


Taking guard: Police personnel and jawans of Special Forces have
been deployed in sensitive areas across the city. (Seen in pic) Cops
outside Rasool Market mosque. Pic/Satish Badiger

Private companies are giving their staff, especially the women the option to work from home. "We will be working half-day today," a spokesperson from Wipro said. Software major Infosys has decided to remain closed today, an agency handling the public relations for the company said.

Symphony Services has also decided to change working hours for today. "We will be starting early and closing early," a spokesperson said. Meanwhile, Mind Tree has decided to be open today. A decision on whether it would be closed tomorrow would be decided today, sources said. Cognizant said all their centres would be open and working as usual tomorrow.

"All liquor shops, including bars, restaurants and hotels, will not serve liquor during the prohibitory orders.

Assembly of more than five people, carrying lethal weapons, making public speeches on sensitive issues such as caste and religion or burning effigies is banned," said city police commissioner Shankar Bidari.

If the need warrants, most private organisations will allow employees to leave early. For the banks, it is not the day of the verdict, but the half-yearly closing of accounts that will ensure that public transactions are not entertained.

"No transactions will be made today. It's unofficially closed due to half-yearly closing of accounts for banks.

Banks will be working, but there won't be any transactions. But they will be open on October 1 and transactions will be as usual," said S R Powar, secretary SBM Employees Union.

BMTC Divisional Transport Officer Sampangiram Gowda said, "As of now, the city services will be as usual with out any changes. We will have to think over only if there is any violence in the city."

When contacted, the theaters and multiplexes in the city said that they would remain open and the screenings would be on schedule without any change. Mall owners are however expecting a drop in footfalls. But most gigs in the city that were scheduled on September 30 and October 1 have been postponed, keeping in mind any possible instances of disturbance.

Political parties too are gearing up. The Congress has opened a control room and supported to protect law and order. "The control room will be operating for all hours -- anybody can call and ask the help," said Congress leader R V Deshpande.

Similarly, the JD (S) too has its own control room and its workers have pledged support to the government. The BJP too has opened control rooms in all districts of the state to maintain peace.

Bhatkal residents vow for peace
Residents of the highly sensitive Bhatkal have decided to ensure peace in the town, following the verdict today.
Leaders of both communities, and heads of various associations, including Surendra Shanbagh, Inayathulla Shabandari, Auto rickshaw Union president Nagrah Hedge convened a meeting with the residents and decided to maintain communal harmony, and vowed that they will not allow any untoward incident.
A delegation later went and met Assistant Commissioner of Bhatkal, KV Anuradha, and assured full cooperation to her from both communities and promised to help the administration main law and order. As per the government directive, the district administration has clammed prohibitory orders in Bhatkal town for two days.u00a0--- Imran Gowhar

Show must go on
Hospitals: Government and private hospitals will be functioning normally.
Transport: BMTC, KSRTC, private cabs and autorickshaws will operate as usual
Railway: Normal services
Educational Institutions: Schools and colleges will remain closed today and tomorrow
Shops and commercial establishments: Will remain open
Public Sector Undertakings: Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, Indian Space Research Organisation, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and Bharat Earth Movers Ltd will function as usual