Buses off roads following farmers’ protest in Belagavi

The Belagavi division of the North-West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation suspended its bus services in the city and on inter-district and inter-state routes following a protest by farmers here on Saturday morning.

In response to the call for bandh given by various farmers' organisations to pressure the Centre in general and Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal to deliver early and judicious award on sharing of Mahadayi river water and clearance for implementation of the long-pending Kalasa-Banduri Nala diversion project, a group of farmers staged a protest at Fort Circle near the central bus station in the city.

The agitation coincides with the MWDT currently hearing the matter related to the dispute between the three riparian States of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra and first anniversary of the farmers’ struggle spearheaded by Kalasa-Banduri Nala Horata Samiti, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Bharatiya Krishik Samaj and other organisations.

Reports indicated that the farmers are coming onto roads, particularly the State and national highways, in many places to stage protests.

NWKRTC officials said the bus services would remain suspended till the farmers ended their agitation, but indicated that services could be resumed from 4 p.m. onwards.

Our Special Correspondent reports from Hubballi

Most of the business establishments in the city remained closed and bus services were suspended on Saturday following the bandh call given by farmers over the Mahadayi issue. Karnataka Raitha Sena and other farmers' organisations have given the bandh call over Kalasa Banduri agitation completing a year.