The controversial signboard at the entrance of Yellur, indicating that the village was in Maharashtra, was removed in presence of officials, Maharashtra Ekikaran Samithi leader and Belgaum South MLA Sambhaji L. Patil and a large posse of police personnel on Friday.
This follows the Karnataka High Court’s direction to the State government on July 21 while hearing a public interest litigation petition.
A team of officials from the Public Works Department, accompanied by Deputy Superintendent of Police (Rural) S.M. Muchanadi and police inspector Marul Siddappa Doddabasappanavar, led by Assistant Commissioner Shashidhar Bagali, first met the elders and leaders of Yellur and explained them the situation that arose after the court’s direction.
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Later, workers took about 20 minutes to demolish and clear the structure.
Mr. Patil, who arrived at the spot when the signboard was being demolished, refused to comment on the issue. He urged the district administration to ensure peace and harmony.
Belgaum District Kannada Organisations Action Committee president Ashok Chandargi said the signboard could be demolished because of the High Court’s direction. He welcomed the State government and the district administration for complying with it.
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A group of youths sporting saffron flags and with some print and electronic media personnel in tow, attacked five Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses at the central bus-stand in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, on Friday afternoon. They broke the windowpanes of the five buses. Six persons were injured in the violence, said the Divisional Traffic Controller of the North-western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation, Belgaum.
The official said the situation was normal. All Karnataka buses heading for Pune, Mumbai and other destinations were diverted through the bypass at the State boundary, the official said.