Karnataka   

Tension in Karwar as people return palanquins to Minister

Karwar: There was tension in Karwar on Friday when more than 2,000 anti-thermal power plant protesters came in a procession to the house of Fisheries Minister Anand Asnotikar’s to return two palanquins as a mark of protest against the alleged police atrocity on the protesters at Hanakon. The two palanquins were donated by the Asnotikar family to the temples of the Gabith community a few years ago.

The Gabith community, which is protesting against the thermal power plant, accused the Minister of letting loose the police on the protesters during the violence at Hanakon village on July 30 last. The community leaders, who held a meeting a few days ago, decided to return the two palanquins donated by the Asnotikar family. One palanquin was donated by Mr. Anand Asnotikar and the other by his father Vasant Asnotikar to the temples of Gabith community at Sunkeri and Kodibag.

The people belonging to the Gabith community on Thursday announced that they would return the two palanquins to the Minister for his alleged involvement in the alleged police torture of anti-thermal power agitators. Two silent processions began simultaneously, one from Kodibag and the other from Sunkeri, both Gabith strongholds, and merged at Kajubag to reach the Minister’s house. The police were on their toes when the procession reached near the house of the Minister.

The police had barricaded the entire area near the Minister’s house and the entry of people and vehicles were banned. Many people on their way to the district hospital were put to hardship. There was tension near the Minister’s house when the procession reached there with the palanquins.

The police heaved a sigh of relief when the people dispersed peacefully. But the Minister’s supporters objected to the way in which the palanquins were left near Mr. Asnotikar’s house by the activists.

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