Holiday declared to schools and colleges in Gadag today
the goan I network
BELAGAVI
After the Tribunal delivered the order denying 7.56 TMC of water to Karnataka on Wednesday afternoon, thousands of farmers and members of various pro-Kannada organizations came on the streets in Dharwad, Gadag, Bagalkot and Belagavi districts. Tension prevailed all over the north Karnataka region and violence intensified by late evening.
Protesting against the state and central governments for failing to find an amicable solution, the irate farmers organizations in the state have called for an All Karnataka Bandh on Thursday. The farmers blocked Hubballi-Vijaypura national highway in Nargund, Navalgund, Hubballi, Dharwad, while tyres were set on fire on the highway.
The irate farmers then ransacked the offices of BJP MP Shivakumar Udasi in Gadag and destroyed the party board and banner. They barged into the government offices, broke the furniture, door and window glasses in all these offices in Gadag. They also tried to set on fire all documents kept in the record room of irrigation department. The traders and businessmen have voluntarily shut down their shutters in Nargund and Navalgund towns which have been witnessing virtual Bandh since last one year demanding Karnataka’s share of Mahadayi river water.
The agitated farmers also pelted stones on government offices and JMFC court. Gadag Deputy Commissioner N S Prasannakumar has declared a holiday to schools and colleges on Thursday in the wake of rising violent incidents in the district.
Fearing attack by farmers, the police stepped up security arrangement at the houses of prominent politicians, including Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Jagadish Shettar, and MP Prahlad Joshi, as farmers had planned to lay siege to their residences.
Police teams had to resort to mild lathi-charge to control the enraged mob, causing minor injuries to few farmers.
“The Tribunal’s order has dashed our hopes in getting temporary relief of granting the release of drinking water from the Kalsa rivulet. Hence, we will intensify the agitation from Thursday by calling a state-wide Bandh,” Veeresh Sobaradmath, the convenor of Kalasa Banduri Horata Samiti, told media persons in Hubballi. “Our only hope will be to seek intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as we have lost faith in the legal remedy,” added Sobaradmath.
Meanwhile, farmers also staged protests at the Rani Chenamma Circle in Belagavi. Protesting farmers and Kannada organisations have urged BJP MPs to resign to pressurise the Union government or at least stage protests in front of PM Modi’s residence.
