Farmers, who returned to Navalgund villages after being released from various prisons recently, took part on the Independence Day celebrations here on Monday.
However, they wore black armbands as a mark of protest against police atrocities and also against the rejection of the State’s interim application by the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal.
Some of the farmers, who assembled at the Raita Hutatma Smaraka at Navalgund in Dharwad district, hoisted the national flag atop the memorial.
They said that despite 70 years of Independence, they did not have the freedom to utilise water for their needs.
They said that the black armbands were in protest against the tribunal’s order and the recent police atrocities on farmers during the protests over the Mahadayi row.
To join army
Meanwhile, in another Independence Day function at Vishwesharnagar in Hubballi, Basamma, the mother of Lance Naik Hanumantappa Koppad, who lost his life, has said that she would send her granddaughter to join the army.
Hoisting the national flag at the celebrations organised by Sai Sadbhakta Mandali and Autorickshaw Drivers Union, she said: “While my son has inspired many in the country, I want to send his daughter to serve the country.”
