BELGAUM: The supporters of former minister Lakshman Savadi allegedly turned into ‘hijackers’ in Athani, Chikkodi and Gokak taluks on Wednesday, in an attempt to dilute the porn clip issue.
They allegedly seized all the newspapers to these taluks to prevent the news from reaching the localities. About 150 youths, said to be supporters of Savadi, stopped all the vehicles carrying newspapers at Harugeri Cross at 5.15 am. They asked the vehicles to hand over all the newspapers to them and return. The youths said that they had informed the newspapers agents in Athani, Chikodi and Gokak taluks, who had agreed to it.
When Express contacted the agents, they said that the supporters had paid the complete amount for the newspapers which they took. Many readers of Athani, Chikodi and Gokak contacted the Express office till afternoon, asking why the paper had not been delivered. Newspapers were posted to them. The staff of a few newspapers personally attempted to distribute papers in the three taluks with police help. However, their attempts were allegedly foiled by Savadi supporters.
Meanwhile, some Congress and JD(S) leaders purchased newspapers from Belgaum and Bijapur and distributed them free of cost in three taluks.