BELAGAVI: Members of Opposition parties staged a protest in the well of the house against arrests of farmers across the state for heading towards Belagavi Suvarna Soudha.
As soon as the house assembled on the first day of winter session, Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar raised the issue and criticised the government for arresting farmers for no mistake.
Demanding withdrawal of cases against farmers for indulging in Mahadayi and other agitations, he said that the farmers were being treated as terrorists and dacoits, and arrested from across the state.“The government should immediately release the farmers. Why did you arrest them when they were nowhere close to Suvarna Soudha,” he added.
Congress rebel MLA AS Patil Nadahalli said that the government has no concern for farmers, who are worst hit due to drought in past three years.
“What was the need to create a helipad inside Suvarna Soudha premises,” he added.
In reply, Industries Minister RV Deshpande said that they have not arrested farmers, but only took preventive measures. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that he has directed the cops to release farmers.