Karnataka Police Detains Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti Members for Protesting Winter Legislative Session
Click to start listening
Belagavi, Dec 9 (NationPress) Members of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) were taken into custody by the Karnataka Police on Monday as they protested against the ongoing winter session at the Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi.
The MES members were apprehended at Sambhaji circle in Belagavi for breaching orders issued by the Karnataka Police. Arrested individuals included MES Working President Manohar Kinekar, Treasurer Prakash Margale, along with other MES workers from their office situated at Ramlinggarh Galli.
The MES activists gathered in groups at Sambhaji circle, chanting slogans advocating for the creation of a greater Maharashtra. Tensions escalated in the area, prompting police forces to intervene and detain all protestors in police vehicles.
The MES has asserted that the Supreme Court has yet to provide a judgment regarding the ongoing border dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra, particularly concerning Belagavi. They had announced their intention to protest against the Karnataka state legislature's winter session being held in Belagavi.
Nevertheless, the district administration of Belagavi had declined to grant permission for the MES protest. Anticipating unrest despite the refusal, the Karnataka Police prepared by deploying extra forces across various locations within Belagavi.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Rohan Jagadeesh stated that MES members proceeded with the protest unlawfully and disregarded their submission. He also noted that additional forces were stationed at Karnataka-Maharashtra border checkpoints to inhibit the entry of MES leaders and workers from Maharashtra.
In the aftermath of the Justice Fazal Ali Commission report in 1953, 14 Indian states and six union territories were established, with Karnataka being one of them. The commission deemed Belagavi as part of Karnataka.
Following the report's release in 1956, the state of Maharashtra began asserting claims over Belagavi. This led to violence in both Mumbai and Belagavi, with the MES continuing its demands for the merger of Belagavi into Maharashtra.
Meanwhile, approximately 11 organizations are conducting protests outside the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi, advocating for the fulfillment of various requests.
The government has prohibited vehicle movement related to protests for 48 hours. Basava Jaya Mrutynjaya Swamiji, a prominent Panchamasali Lingayat seer, has called for a 'tractor chalo' rally to demand reservations for the Panchamasali community under the 2A category, planning to blockade the Suvarna Soudha with over 2,000 tractors.
