The police on Tuesday detained 10 members of the All Karnataka State Students Association (AKSSA), including its president Kantakumar, ahead of a proposed peaceful protest in the city demanding a re-examination of the Civil Police Constable recruitment test in view of irregularities in the examination process.
The activists were taken into custody before they could reach the protest venue at the garden in Michigan Compound.
On Monday, AKSSA announced that it will stage the protest under the leadership of Mr. Kantakumar. However, the police denied permission for the demonstration.
Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar deployed more than 400 personnel, including Deputy Commissioners of Police, Assistant Commissioners of Police and Inspectors, as part of the security arrangements.
Several police teams were looking out for Mr. Kantakumar since Tuesday morning. As he did not turn up at the protest venue even by noon, the police eventually traced him to a coaching centre and took him into custody before taking him to Hubballi.
Meanwhile, nine leaders from other districts who arrived to support the protest were also detained near Michigan Compound.
Leaders of AKSSA condemned the police action saying that the authorities suppressed their peaceful protest against irregularities in the recruitment process.
Heavy security arrangements were made in Saptapur, Jayanagar and Srinagar areas as a precautionary measure.
Speaking to presspersons, Mr. Shashikumar said that 10 people, including Mr. Kantakumar, have been detained as a precautionary measure after the organisation announced plans to hold a protest in Dharwad seeking fulfilment of various demands.
“The organisation staged protests in the past during which several untoward incidents have occurred. Keeping this in mind, permission was not granted for the protest. Despite this, it announced that it will go ahead with the demonstration. Hence, 10 people, including Mr. Kantakumar, were detained as a preventive measure,” he said.
Published - August 18, 2026 08:43 pm IST