Belgaum border dispute: Karnataka govt warns against taking law into own hands

Bangalore: Karnataka government on Wednesday warned of strong action against those who take the law into their hands on the state's boundary row with Maharashtra.

"We have taken strong action against those indulging in violence and taking law into their hands on the Karnataka- Maharashtra border issue, and will continue to do so," Home Minister K J George told the Legislative Council.

Clashes broke out at Yellur village of Belgaum district on July 27 after a group of local people and pro-Maharashtra groups pelted stones at the police, objecting to the removal of a re-erected "Maharashtra Rajya" sign board.

The district administration had on Saturday last removed "Maharashtra Rajya" signboard at Yellur that was re-erected by the pro-Maharashtra supporters, after the previous one was razed to ground by the Public Works Department on Friday.

Read: Belgaum border dispute deepens, Shiv Sena condemns ‘police action’ in Lok Sabha

PWD's action came on the basis of a High Court order.

Situation at Yellur village is peaceful and under control George said. Without naming any organisation, he alleged that "there were some goonda elements who were perpetrating violence over the border issue."

George rubbished the opposition's charge about government's 'failure' to maintain law and order in Belgaum.

The government removed the controversial signboard on the basis of a Karnataka High Court order, the minister said, adding it would not allow anyone to take law into their hands.

George said that as many as 25 persons, including policemen, were injured in stone pelting and lathicharge on July 27.