Bus services to Maharashtra stopped in Belagavi over language row

Shiv Sena activists alleged sprayed black paint on NWKRTC buses in Kolhapur

Buses plying between Karnataka and Maharashtra were stopped on Saturday due to linguistic tension in Kolhapur and Belagavi.

Shiv Sena activists allegedly sprayed black paint on North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) buses in Kolhapur and as a precautionary measure, buses did not cross the state border.

Over the past few days, Sena activists in Kolhapur have been allegedly targetting boards in the Kannada language, and have allegedly removed them to support activities of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti here.

In retaliation, Kannada activists had also allegedly targetted boards in the Marathi language.

NWKRTC officials said that around 400 state buses ply between Karnataka and Maharashtra and the services have been stopped. Buses stranded in Maharashtra were halted in depots, while Maharashtra buses were parked in depots here as a precautionary measure.

Karnataka Boundary Areas Development Authority Chairman Dr C Somshekhar condemned acts of Sena leaders, saying damage to public properties was not acceptable.