Bengaluru: Members from various Kannada organisations under Vatal Nagaraj on Sunday protested at Freedom Park against the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was visiting the city, over the Mahadayi river water sharing dispute between Karnataka and Goa.
Hundreds of protesters wearing black clothes and black bands squatted on the road in front of Freedom Park, blocking traffic on the busy thoroughfare. They raised slogans against the BJP and Mr Modi. They were detained when they decided to march towards the Palace Grounds, where Mr Modi was taking part in the valedictory function of the BJP’s Parivarthana rally. They were later released.
Mr Nagaraj, the leader of Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha (KCVP), said that they will continue to protest against the central government till the issue is resolved. He said, “We
have observed Sunday as the black day as the Prime Minister was visiting the city. At least today, he has to give us some assurance on the Mahadayi issue.”
Mr Nagaraj said, “Respecting the high court decision, we called off the Bengaluru bandh on Sunday. If the Prime Minister fails to address the issue today, Kannada outfits will have a meeting on Monday to discuss the next step. If the BJP does not support us and help us resolve this issue, we will campaign against them in the coming Assembly elections.”
Six KSRP platoons, 300 constables, six police inspectors, nine sub-inspectors and one ACP under the DCP West Anucheth had been deployed at the protest venue. Mr Anucheth asked his men to detain the protesters if they ventured out of Freedom Park, saying they had been given permission only for a protest and not a rally.
