THE GOAN NETWORK
BELAGAVI
The very mention of keeping in abeyance the ongoing agitation in the Kalsa-Bhandura water diversion issue outraged north Karnataka farmers on Thursday, with farmers threatening to assault their leaders.
The meeting convened to decide the next course of action on the Kalsa-Bhandura water sharing issue in Naragund ended in fiasco on Thursday.
Trouble started after the Raita Sena leaders read out the five resolutions approved in the meeting, including the decision to continue their protest by organising meetings at the village level.
According to eyewitnesses, an appeal by Shankranna Ambali to the farmers not to come to Naragund, but to continue that agitation at the village level annoyed the farmers, who are part of the agitation since the last 46 days.
Angry farmers rushed to the stage and started demanding an explanation from Viresh Sobaradmath and Ambali. A few of them even made allegations about misuse of funds mobilised by the farmers for the continuation of the agitation.
Police had to intervene and escort the leaders as agitating farmers further tried to manhandle the leaders.
The agitated farmers even snubbed requests by seers of various Mutts who were present at the meeting requesting farmers to maintain calm and wait till November 1, the deadline given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the issue of farmers.
The farmers then began making allegation against the leaders, who had led the protest till date, insisting on the settlement of accounts.
Speaking on the occasion, Sri Basava Jaya Mrutyunaja Swami said there was some confusion at the meeting, especially as members of a political party had crept in with an attempt to create trouble.
He clarified to the farmers that the agitation would continue in a different way and if nothing happens even after November 1, then a ‘Delhi Chalo’ campaign would be launched.
Meanwhile, the undeclared bandh continued in Navalgund town and National Highway 218 remained closed between Hubballi and Naragund for the fourth day in succession. There were no reports about any untoward incident.
In Dharwad, advocates led by Dharwad Bar Association President V D Kamaraddi launched an indefinite protest in support of the farmers’ demands.
