Maharastra and Karnataka border dispute worsens after K'taka protestors attack MHA Trucks in Belagavi

Belgavi, December 06: The inter-state feud between Maharastra and Karnataka over Belagavi worsened on Tuesday after workers of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) targetted trucks coming from Maharastra at the border.

 

 

 

Stones were pelted on lorries bearing Maharashtra numbers. Irate workers also shattered the window panes of a truck. Before this, the workers of KRV had taken out a rally that was halted by the Belagavi Police from entering into the city. The activists then staged a protest on the national highway. Following that, Karnataka police arrested hundreds of activists of the KRV.

 

 

 

Earlier the day, a Maharashtra delegation, including ministers Shumbhuraj Desai and Chandrakanth Patil, cancelled their planned visit to Belagavi.

Desai, one of the two ministers for coordination regarding legal matters in the dispute, said the team had rescheduled the visit to the border city. "It was Mahaparinirvan Din, and on this occasion, we do not want our visitors to cause any untoward incident in Belagavi," he added.

 

 

This comes as Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai warned that the visit could lead to a law and order challenge. Meanwhile, there are reports that Maharashtra deputy chief minister Fadnavis spoke with Bommai and expressed strong displeasure over incidents at Hirebagwadi near Belagavi. "Bommai said that strict action will be taken against culprits. He assured Fadnavis that vehicles coming from Maharashtra will be protected," ANI quoted Fadnavis's office.

The border dispute dates back to the 1960s after the reorganisation of states on linguistic lines. Maharashtra laid claim to Belagavi which was part of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency as it has a sizeable Marathi-speaking population. It also laid claim to 80 Marathi-speaking villages which are currently part of Karnataka.

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