Horata Samiti withdraws call for North Karnataka bandh

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Aug 02, 2018 : People of the 13 districts of north Karnatka are left confused as the organisations that had given a call for a bandh on Thursday, demanding statehood for the region, have taken different stands after a meeting with the Chief Minister.

President of Uttar Karnataka Pratyeka Rajya Horata Samiti Somashekhar Kotambri made the dramatic announcement of withdrawal of the bandh call late on Wednesday.

He said the decision to withdraw the bandh call was the result of the assurance given by the Chief Minister about addressing the issues raised by representatives of various organisations from north Karnataka during a meeting with him in Benglauru on Tuesday.

 However, earlier in Hubballi, president of the Uttar Karnataka Raitha Sangha Basavaraj Karigar, who was accompanied by Shadakshari Swami of Rajashrama and others, insisted that there was no change in their stand. He said 23 organisations had extended support for the bandh call and they would stop transport services on Thursday and appeal for closure of schools, colleges, and commercial establishments. Mr. Karigar said the sangha did not agree with the stand taken by Mr. Kotambri and others who met the Chief Minister.

Speaking to The Hindu over the phone from Haveri, Mr. Kotambri clarified that it was not the end of the agitation but they had decided to wait in the wake of the Chief Minister’s assurance. “Our organisation and others who were with us have decided to wait and withdraw the bandh call. Mr. Karigar has said they would go ahead with the bandh, but we don’t support them,” he said.

In Kalaburagi, members of the Hyderabad Karnataka Kannadapara Sanghatanegala Okkoota took out a rally opposing the statehood demand.

The police, however, have tightened security in north Karnataka districts.


courtesy:The Hindu