MUMBAI: Politicians from Maharashtra on Monday reacted strongly to Karnataka police’s ‘brutality’ against Marathi speaking people at Yellur in Belgaum.
Shiv Sena reiterated its demand that President’s rule should be imposed in disputed border areas in Karnataka.
An editorial in the party’s mouthpiece Saamna compared Karnataka police to Pakistani terrorist Hafeez Saeed. “The Karnataka police are goondas in khaki uniform. What they have done is nothing but highhandedness. Maharashtra shares border with Karnataka, but we have maintained peace,” Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said.
The BJP also condemned the state police and demanded action against the guilty officers. Leader of Opposition, Vinod Tawde, dashed off a letter to National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), demanding a thorough inquiry into the incident.
“The police pelted stones at villagers and trespassed into their homes. I am going take up issue with Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday,” he said.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president, Raj Thackeray, targeted the Union Government over the issue. “If a similar situation had occurred with migrants in Maharashtra the Centre would have made it a big issue. Why is it (Union Government) silent now?” he asked.
Nitesh Rane, son of Congress leader Narayan Rane, threatened that his NGO Swabhimaan would not allow Karnataka Day celebrations in Mumbai hereafter. State Samajwadi Party president, Abu Asim Azmi, demanded stringent action against the police officers.
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan registered a protest with his Karnataka counterpart Siddaramaiah on the issue. “It is not appropriate for Karnataka to take such action when the border dispute is pending before the Supreme Court,” Chavan said.