The situation in Shimoga and Hassan in Karnataka was peaceful on Tuesday, a day after two people in violent protests over publication of an article by controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen in a leading Kannada daily.
"The situation is peaceful. Security has been tightened to prevent any untoward incident. The Karnataka State Reserve Police personnel are keeping a close watch," Shimoga Superintendent of Police S Murugan said.
In Shimoga, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa's hometown, two people were killed -- one in police firing and the other in violence -- over publication of the Kannada version of the article on Monday.
Murugan said around 50 people had been arrested in connection with the violence and added that the dusk to dawn curfew imposed in four localities of Shimoga town had been extended till evening.
In Hassan, where prohibitory orders were imposed for three days since Monday, the situation was under control with the deployment of KSRP force, Superintendent of Police Sharat Chandra said.
The authorities have sought assistance of Rapid Action Force to control the situation, he said.
A first information report has been lodged against the Kannada daily and also the Urdu newspaper, which carried the article "hurting the sentiments of a religious community".
