40 farmers en route to Bengaluru taken into custody

Farmers from Navalgund in the district who were on their way to stage a protest during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bengaluru on February 4 were taken into custody by the local police in Hubballi on Saturday evening and they have been lodged at the DAR grounds in Dharwad.

Nearly 40 farmers, including Mahadayi Kalasa Banduri Raitha Horata Samiti president Loknath Hebsur, members Subhaschandra Gouda and others were taken into custody.

Subhashchandra said Modi should break his silence and initiate steps to resolve the Kalasa Banduri dispute.

"The farmers of the state have been demanding their share of the Mahadayi water, which is their right. The government should stop suppressing the voice of the farmers," he said.

DySP B P Chandrashekar said the high court had directed not to call for a bandh and hence, the farmers who were going to Bengaluru violating the high court orders, had been taken into custody.