Samyukta Horata Karnataka protest turns tense in Kalaburagi

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Protesters lying down in front of a police vehicle to prevent it from moving during an agitation in Kalaburagi on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The protest by members of Samyukta Horata Karnataka demanding that all taluks in Kalaburagi district be included in the drought-hit list turned tense in Kalaburagi city on Thursday, with the police detaining two leaders and an agitator attempting to pour petrol on himself.

The protesters blocked roads in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. When the police attempted to clear the road blockade, one of the agitators reportedly tried to pour petrol on himself. The police intervened and detained agitating activists Sharanabasappa Mamshetty and Mahesh Rathod.

The situation took a dramatic turn when some other protesters lay down in front of the police vehicle, preventing it from moving. The agitation was later shifted to the Mini Vidhana Soudha premises, where the protesters continued to raise slogans against the State government.

The protesters demanded that Kalaburagi district be declared drought-hit and that a special package of ₹1,000 crore be released for the district. They sought drought relief of ₹50,000 per acre for farmers affected by crop losses.

They also demanded the waiver of farmers’ loans from nationalised banks or an extension of the repayment period in view of the drought situation.

Among other demands was the release of Karnataka’s share of 15 tmc of water from the Ujani reservoir in Maharashtra into the Bhima river. The protesters sought the immediate commencement of drought-relief works to employ people in rural areas.

They also demanded that the government establish gaushalas, make adequate arrangements for livestock fodder, and implement measures to address drinking water shortages in rural areas.

The farmers alleged discrimination in the disbursement of crop insurance compensation. They also sought the release of the second instalment of crop insurance compensation to farmers who had been left out. The protesters demanded that all farmers whose crops had been damaged be covered under the insurance scheme.

The protesters accused the State government of adopting a “stepmotherly attitude” towards Kalaburagi district by failing to include its taluks in the drought-declared list despite deficient rainfall and crop damage during the kharif season.

They demanded the resignation of all three Ministers from Kalaburagi district, alleging that they had failed to secure drought status for the district and had not adequately represented farmers’ concerns before the State government.

Samyukta Horata Karnataka said the agitation would be intensified in the coming days. They warned of staging sit-in protests outside the Ministers’ residences in Kalaburagi; they said black flags would be displayed during the Ministers’ visits to the district if they failed to address farmers’ issues immediately.

Leaders Bhimashankar Madiyal, M.B. Sajjan, Maula Mullah, Siddappa Kalashetty, and Umapati Patil were among those who participated in the protest.