KOZHIKODE: As arson in protest against Citizens Rights Amendment Act (CRAA) is spreading across the country and two persons who allegedly tried to set fire to a Mangaluru police station were gunned down, Kerala DGP Loknath Behera issued high alert in North Kerala on Friday.

Hearing the news of firing in Mangaluru, several organisations and people came out on street even during midnight to express their protest.

Director general of police Loknath Behera has directed superintendents of police in Kasargod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Wayanad to maintain a strict vigil and take action against those who spread rumours.

Karnataka’s home minister Basavaraj Bommai has said people from neighbouring Kerala indulged in violence in Mangaluru during the protests after misleading students and others.

On Thursday, one person died in UP and two persons died Karntaka’s Magalore in the police firing. One of the dead in Mangaluru was Banthar native Jaleel (35)

His wife’s house is in Majiba in Manjeswaram. More than 100 persons got injured in the Mangaluru violence. There is a high alert in all districts of Karnataka.

Meanwhile, curfew has been imposed within the limits of Mangaluru commissionerate. Internet has been suspended for two days in the North Karnataka district bordering Kerala.

A senior police officer said a special vigil will also be maintained during Friday prayers. Many organisations have plan to hold rallies in Kozhikode, Kannur, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram on Friday as well.

Many Muslim outfits had observed a statewide shutdown on Tuesday but it did not have much impact. As many fringe outfits are planning to cash in on the sentimental issue, the Indian Union Muslim League, which has four members of Parliament, has not taken the path of open protests or hartal.

The League was the first party to move the Supreme Court against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The top court is expected to examine the constitutional validity of the new legislation on January 22.