DHARWAD: Even as the Home Department suspended two officers for cane-charging farmers and women in Navalgund on Sunday, the angry farmers are planning a mega gathering in the town. Farmers and members of Kannada organisations in Navalgund of Dharwad district have been agitating for implementation of Mahadayi water project for more than a year now.
The police excesses against women in Yamanur, a village located near Navalgund, and beating up farmers on Navalgund police station premises has irked the farmers who are now planning a ‘retaliation’. According to sources, the farmers are planning a mega rally, which is likely to be held on on August 4.
“Farmers are angry over police action. People are agitated due to lack of drinking water. We are unable to grow more than one crop a year due to water shortage,” said a villager from Navalgund.
On Sunday, District Minister Vinay Kulkarni had to face public wrath during the peace meeting held at the Hurkadli Kalyan Mantap at Navalagund on Sunday.
Villagers at Yamanur, did not allow political leaders to enter their village on Sunday morning stating that henceforth they will not allow any politician into their village.
Elected representatives, including the District Minister didn’t visit the village.
New forum formed to intensify protest
Belagavi: Farmers social and Kannada organisations will come under the banner of a new forum--Kalasa-Banduri Krantikari Horata Samitigala Okkuta-to obtain the right of having 7.56 tmc ft water from the Mahadayi river.
The forum would consist of leaders from various groups of the nine beneficiary taluks of the Kalasa-Banduri project. The decision was taken after a meeting held at Kannada Sahitya Bhavan here.