Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha leader Vatal Nagaraj and several farmers were arrested at Badas village when they were on way to Kankumbi in Belagavi district to hold a protest over the Kalasa-Banduri issue on Monday.
According to the police, Mr. Nagaraj and his supporters, who started from Hubballi, were stopped by the police at the village, about 30 km from Kankumbi.
The district administration had clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in a two-km radius of Kankumbi, in view of the proposed agitation.
Mr. Nagaraj and his supporters were apprised about the prohibitory orders and were requested to drop the agitation. However, they resorted to dharna. When they refused to heed to their requests, the police arrested Mr. Nagaraj and others.
“The police have also arrested another group of farmers, who came down to join the agitation near Jamboti cross. Over 400 people were arrested and released later,” the police said.
Condemning Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his ‘step-motherly’ attitude towards the State, he said it was pity that Mr. Modi was reluctant to resolve a key issue related to drinking water supply. His attitude in this matter does not go down well with the principles of federalism, Mr. Nagaraj said
