NK bandh call not withdrawn: Sangha

Uttara Karnataka Raitha Sangha, which has given the call for North Karnataka bandh on Thursday (August 2) demanding separate statehood for the region, has clarified that the bandh call has not been withdrawn, and the bandh would be observed in 13 districts in the region.

"Discrimination towards North Karnataka region has continued since the unification of the State, and the region is neglected in this year's budget also. Therefore, the separate state is being demanded, and 24 organisations have extended their support to the bandh call," the Sangha president Basavaraj Karigar said.

Dawn to dusk would be observed, during which shops and school-colleges would remain closed, while buses would also stay off roads. We observe the bandh peacefully, and we request all to extend support voluntarily, he told media persons here on Wednesday.

Seers, farmers and others would stage a protest in front of Suvarna Vidhan Soudha in Belagavi, while separate state flag already designed would be hoisted on November 1, Karigar added, clarifying that the Sangha has no connection with any political party.

Uttara Karnataka Horata Samiti general secretary Nagesh Golashetty charged that Somashekhar Kothambari and Basavaraj Dindur took part in the discussion with Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy without consulting anybody. They should apologise and should participate in the bandh, instead of withdrawing the bandh call, he said.