Members of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samithi went ahead with demonstration despite prohibitory order from Home Ministry
Members of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samithi went ahead with demonstration despite prohibitory order from Home MinistryThe 54th Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations in disputed Belgaum were marred by a protest by the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samithi (MES) and a clash between its members and those of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV).
The MES went ahead with the demonstration despite an order to the contrary from the Home Ministry and its members also pelted stones at a house.
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| Teeming with people: A large crowd participated in the procession held during the celebrations in Belgaum yesterday |
The demonstration, on bicycles and two-wheelers, started at Shivaji Garden and ended at Goaves near the railway station. MES members allegedly tore down some police hoardings along the way and also threw stones and shattered the windows of a house in Goaves around 11.30 am. The demonstration ended at noon.
The house belongs to a Desai, who, locals say, has no connection with either the MES or the KRV. The police are investigating whether a personal dispute was behind the stone pelting at the house.
ClashA clash was sparked in the evening when some Kannadigas were asked to remove their shawls by some youth allegedly belonging to the MES at Kirloskar Road. MES and KRV members clashed and the police had to resort to a lathi charge to control them. A youth was injured and was taken to the district civil hospital.
The district-in-charge, Agricultural Minister Umesh Katti, condemned the MES' acts. "We are one and there is no use destroying public and personal property. The common man doesn't care about borders and should be allowed to lead a peaceful life."
KRV district president Raju Topannavar said, "The people of Karnataka have historically lived in harmony with everybody. It is sad that some people are interfering and trying to create a rift between two communities. I will never allow this as long as I'm around."
KRV members and government officials began the celebratory procession in the morning after performing a puja to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari at Kittur Channamma circle. Government officials were in a hurry to reach the school where a function would mark the end of the procession but KRV members wanted to move slowly and allowed the government officials to go forward.
The enthusiasm of the KRV members led to the procession ending at 6.30 pm instead of the scheduled 2 pm.
| The Other Side |
| Maharashtra Ekikaran Samithi leaders Vijay More and Manohar Kinekar were unavailable for comment despite repeated attempts. |
