Yellur blows hot and cold again

Belgaum: While Belgaum is getting ready to celebrate the Karnataka Rajyotsava Day on Saturday in the backdrop of the row over the government’s decision to change its name to Belagavi, an unidentified group of pro-Maharashtra activists on Friday placed a board proclaiming ‘Yellur Maharashtra Rajya' at the entrance of Yellur village near the city, leading to tension in the area.

A similar board installed outside Yellur for many decades was recently removed by the government. On hearing of the new board, a police team from Belgaum rushed to the spot and removed it.

The old board was cleared only after the panchayat of Yellur,  a village dominated by Marathis,  gave its approval,  but the move still triggered violence. The police on Friday warned  activists not to create more trouble over the issue and deployed its personnel to maintain law and order in the village.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) has given a call for observing Rajyotsava Day as ‘Black Day' in the city and in Yellur village, from where it had launched its movement for  merger of Belgaum with Maharashtra  years ago.

A large number of activists from variour pro-Maharashtra organizations, wearing black ribbons and waving  black flags,  are expected to  take part in a cycle rally the MES is organizing in the city on Saturday hours before the official Rajyotsava processions begins from Chennamma Circle. The police is on high alert for any possible trouble.