Mysuru: A Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) worker engaged in removing unauthorised flex banners was allegedly stabbed while carrying out the civic body’s banner-removal work at FTS Circle in the Narasimharaja constituency, prompting MCC workers to seek police protection before resuming the city-wide drive.

The incident occurred at around 11.30 pm on October 4, according to the police case and reports. Raghu, 29, a member of the MCC’s Abhaya-1 team and a resident of Ganesh Nagar, sustained injuries to his face, chest and arms in the alleged attack.

He was taken to K.R. Hospital for treatment, where he reportedly received around 30 stitches and was initially treated in the ICU. After two days of treatment, he was shifted to the General Ward at the hospital’s Stone Building.

MCC worker attacked during flex removal

Raghu was part of an MCC team carrying out the removal of unauthorised political and religious flex banners and other publicity materials.

According to the case registered at Narasimharaja Police Station, two minor boys allegedly attacked him with knives while the team was carrying out the removal operation.

Another person was also reportedly attacked during the incident but suffered only minor scratches and did not require hospitalisation.

The circumstances surrounding the attack are being investigated by the police. Reports from other local sources have provided differing accounts of the identities and circumstances of those allegedly involved, so the allegations remain subject to the police investigation.

Worker sustains injuries to face, chest and arms

The attack left Raghu with injuries to multiple parts of his body.

Following the incident, MCC officials arranged for him to receive medical treatment at K.R. Hospital. He was initially admitted to the ICU and received around 30 stitches.

After receiving treatment for two days, his condition reportedly improved sufficiently for him to be moved to the General Ward.

The attack has raised concerns among other workers involved in the banner-removal operation, particularly because they are required to enter different parts of the city to remove unauthorised publicity materials.

MCC workers seek police protection

Following the incident, MCC workers reportedly refused to resume the flex-removal operation without adequate security arrangements.

Workers told the authorities that they had faced opposition and threats at some locations while attempting to remove illegal banners and flex boards.

They said they were willing to continue carrying out the civic body’s instructions but wanted police protection for teams working in areas where resistance was expected.

The demand for security has temporarily affected the planned city-wide removal operation.

For civic workers, the incident has highlighted the difficulties involved in enforcing rules against unauthorised banners when the materials are connected to political, religious or other public events.

MCC plans city-wide ‘Flex-free Mysuru’ drive

The attack came just as the MCC was preparing to launch a special city-wide campaign to make Mysuru free of unauthorised flex banners, boards and posters.

The campaign, titled ‘Flex-free Mysuru’, is intended to cover the city’s municipal limits and continue beyond the Dasara season.

MCC Commissioner M.K. Savitha said the civic body wanted to keep the city clean and maintain its appearance throughout the year.

She also appealed to residents to cooperate with the enforcement campaign, pointing out that Mysuru is a major tourist destination and that unauthorised flex banners contribute to visual clutter.

The initiative is not therefore being presented merely as a temporary Dasara-related clearance drive. The MCC intends to continue enforcement against unauthorised banners and publicity materials throughout the year.

Dasara meeting triggered enforcement drive

The flex-removal campaign follows directions issued during a Dasara meeting chaired by Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on October 3.

The directions called for the removal of unauthorised flex boards, banners and posters in Mysuru.

The civic administration subsequently planned a coordinated drive to remove such materials from roads, junctions and other public spaces.

The timing of the attack has therefore raised concerns about how the enforcement drive can be implemented while protecting the staff assigned to remove the banners.

Unauthorised banners create enforcement challenges

Flex banners and posters are frequently put up on public roads, junctions and other prominent locations for political, religious, commercial and personal publicity.

While the civic authorities can remove unauthorised material, enforcement can become difficult when banner owners or supporters object to the removal.

The MCC workers’ demand for police protection reflects this challenge.

The civic body will now have to balance enforcement with adequate security for its field staff, particularly at locations where previous incidents of opposition or threats have been reported.

A coordinated approach involving the MCC and police could help workers carry out the drive without exposing them to unnecessary risk.

Safety of civic workers becomes key concern

The incident has also brought attention to the safety of workers who carry out routine enforcement activities on behalf of local bodies.

Unlike office-based civic functions, banner removal requires workers to operate in public spaces and sometimes in busy or politically sensitive locations.

Workers may also encounter property owners, organisers or members of groups associated with the banners being removed.

Ensuring that field teams have access to police assistance when required could become an important part of the enforcement strategy.

At the same time, civic authorities will need to ensure that workers are properly instructed about when to seek police support rather than attempting to deal with confrontations themselves.

Need for sustained enforcement

The MCC’s objective is to make Mysuru a flex-free city throughout the year rather than limiting the campaign to the Dasara period.

That objective will require sustained enforcement and cooperation from residents, political organisations, religious groups, businesses and other institutions that put up banners and posters.

The civic body has said elected representatives and political leaders have extended support and offered suggestions for implementing the campaign.

However, the alleged attack on an MCC worker demonstrates that enforcement on the ground can present challenges even when there is broad administrative support for the policy.

Police investigation continues

Narasimharaja Police have registered a case in connection with the alleged assault and are investigating the circumstances.

The police will have to establish the sequence of events, identify those responsible and determine the circumstances that led to the alleged stabbing.

Since reports have differed on some details concerning the alleged assailants, the identities and roles of those involved should be treated as allegations until established through the investigation and legal process.

Meanwhile, MCC workers are waiting for adequate security arrangements before returning to the city-wide flex-removal operation.

Conclusion

An MCC worker identified as Raghu was allegedly stabbed while removing unauthorised flex banners at FTS Circle in Mysuru. He suffered injuries to his face, chest and arms and received treatment at K.R. Hospital.

The incident has prompted MCC workers to seek police protection before continuing the ‘Flex-free Mysuru’ campaign. The city corporation plans to remove unauthorised flex boards, banners and posters throughout the year, following directions issued during a Dasara meeting chaired by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

The police investigation into the alleged attack is continuing, while the MCC faces the task of enforcing the banner-removal campaign while ensuring the safety of its field workers.