Bhatkal: A meeting was organized by Assistant Commissioner Chidanand Watare prior to taluka's popular festival Marihabba, on 23rd July on Saturday. 

In this meeting, AC Watare said that a peaceful atmosphere should be maintained on 27th and 28th of July and people of other faiths should co-operate with one another for the smooth sailing of the festival. 

He informed that extra police force will be deployed for the security purpose. The Municipal and Police force has been instructed to fill the potholes on the roads and to maintain traffic.

Additional SP Devraj also notified that preemptive measures were taken to avoid any untoward incidents from taking place. He also instructed the temple adminstrative to keep an eye on the festivities. 

Adminstrators of Marikamba temple such as Shridhar Naik, Parmeshwar Naik, Narayan Kharvi and JDS leader Inayatulla Shabandri also addressed during the meeting. 

President of Rickshaw Drivers and  Owners Association Venkatesh Naik, General Secretary of Majlees-e-Islah-wa-Tanzeem- Mohiuddin Altaf Kharuri, Vice - President of Municipal Corporation Dr.Sayed Saleem, Tahsildar VN Badkar, ASP Dr.Anup Shetty, President of Jai Karnataka Association Sudhakar Naik, Municipal member Sadique Matta and various other officers were present.

Trading of alcoholic drinks prohibited

Karwar: DC Nakul S S, in a press release, has ordered a closure of alcohol shops, wine shops and bars on the eve of Marihabba from 26th of July 6 am upto the midnight of 28th July. He also notified that there should be no selling and purchasing of alcohol  in that duration.