Farmers in Hungund village too faced police brutality during bandh

Cops tried for compromise to close case: Belagal residents

It was not just farmers from Navalgund taluk in Dharwad district who bore the brunt of police atrocities on Saturday.

Those from Belagal village in Hungund taluk of the district were also at the receiving end of the brutal use of force by the men in khaki during the Karnataka bandh called to protest against the interim award of the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal.

The victims were holding a roadblock protest on the Chitradurga-Solapur national highway. The police caned the protestors as they did not make way for the vehicle of a DySP to pass.

The vehicle was on its way to Ilkal from Koodalasangama. The police entered the village to lathi charge the farmers and damage their vehicles. Some people who were sleeping were also targeted.

The front mirror of a tum tum vehicle, mirrors and indicators of five bikes were also damaged. The spark plugs of a few bikes were removed to prevent people from leaving the village.  

“We told the occupants of the jeep to wait for just 10 minutes. But they pulled me inside and beat me up. Those who tried to rescue me were also caned,” said Shivanand Kajjageri, showing the injuries he received on his thigh.

Cases have been registered against 11 people from the village for “obstructing the police from performing their duties.”

Among them is Dyamanna Bhajantri, a Gram Panchayat member who is recuperating after being injured in an accident at Sangama Cross. He had been discharged from hospital only three days ago, with bandaged hand and chest. Bhajantri says he is in no way connected with the protest. Yet, he had to face action.

The residents and the victims claim that senior police officers held a meeting with them. There, the officers said that the incident at Yamanur in Navalgund taluk had already brought a bad name to the department. So, the officers wanted an end to the Belagal incident and told the residents not to make their ordeal public.

Efforts were made for a compromise by calling the village leaders for a meeting at the travellers’ bungalow at Koodalasangama, said Muthu Madara, a resident.

On Monday, members of the Raitha Sangha led by Zilla Panchayat vice-president Muttappa Komar, held a protest at Belagal, condemning the atrocities.