Karnataka: Dharwad, Gadag hot' over Mahadayi river water

Belagavi: The towns of Navalgund and Nargund, the epicentre of the farmers' agitation for Karnataka's share of Mahadayi river water, have turned into a virtual fortress with the government stepping up security for the state-wide bandh called by pro-Kannada and famers’ organizations on Saturday.

Batallions of the Rapid Action Force and Border Security Force have already arrived in the towns, which saw an undeclared bandh on Friday with all shops and business establishments downing their shutters, vehicles going off the roads and schools and colleges  declaring a holiday.

Sporadic violence continued with agitators hurling stones at a police jeep  in Yamanur village near Navalgund despite the prohibitory orders imposed. As many as  127 people have been detained by the police and  14 cases have been registered for the ransacking and burning of  government offices on Thursday.

ADGP Bhaskar Rao, who visited Navalgund, claimed the police had not detained farmers, but only those who had indulged in violence under the banner of some organisations.

"The Mahadayi water dispute is an emotional issue , but people must remain calm and protest peacefully. We will not do a lathicharge against farmers, but the protesters too must cooperate with the police," he added.

Director general and inspector genral of police, Om Prakash discussed the security arrangements for Saturday's bandh with senior police officials in Navalgund and Central paramilitary forces held a peace march through the town to instill confidence among people living in fear following the recent violence.

Meanwhile , the two youth, who tried to commit suicide by consuming poison during the agitation in Nargund, are  recovering at KIMS in Hubballi.