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Belgaum on the boil as Sena men try to enforce bandh

We are Indians first, says Karnataka chief minister; promises to safeguard interests of Marathis, wants Maharashtra to reciprocate.

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Belgaum remained tense on Sunday as Shiv Sena activists staged a one-day bandh in protest against the burning of the effigy of party chief Bal Thackeray by members of a faction of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike on Saturday. Over five buses were damaged in minor incidents of stone pelting and arson.

The bandh call by the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) had evoked a poor response till afternoon with shops and business establishments staying open and flow of traffic almost normal. However, the situation turned tense in a few pockets after the Sena activists started pelting stones.

At Halaga Sambhaji circle, the police had to use force to disperse the protesters who damaged four Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses. The protesters tried to enforce the bandh forcibly at Anagola cross and left one more bus damaged. Soon, city bus services were suspended after the incidents and auto rickshaws also stopped plying. The markets also closed down.

Heavy police deployment prevented the protesters from taking out processions and holding protest meetings. The Shiv Sena cadres in Kolhapur had attacked the representatives of Kannada Seema Rakshana Vedike at Marathi channel, Zee 24 Taas, on Friday. After the attack, KRV members at Belgaum allegedly burnt an effigy of Bal Thackeray and the party flag.

The situation has been tense in Belgaum after strong reactions in Maharashtra following the Centre’s affidavit in the Supreme Court which rejected the state’s claim over the disputed border villages on the basis of language.

Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa said, “Whether we are Kannadigas or Marathas, we are Indians first. Let us not disturb the harmonious co-existence of the people of two states.” He assured full protection to Marathis in Karnataka and wanted Maharashtra to do the same.

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