The area around Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s official residence, Krishna, on Monday was tense as the police resorted to lathi charge to disperse sand lorry workers, who staged a dharna, seeking resolution to the impasse on sand transportation.
The dharna took police by surprise also threw the morning traffic out of gear. Motorists on Bellary Road and Kumarakrupa Road, including those headed to the international airport, were held up as traffic was affected for nearly three hours.
Mr. Siddaramaiah had to convene an emergency meeting with representatives of the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners’ Association, including its president G.R. Shanmugappa.
According to the High Grounds police, Mr. Shanmugappa and four others took permission to meet the Chief Minister, but around 200 followers gathered at Krishna. “Sensing trouble, we drove the crowd towards the golf course with minimum force,” a senior police officer said.
