Bengaluru (DHNS): RAF, BSF deployed in four North-Karnataka districts. Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday said strict action will be taken against those who try to take law into their hands on the pretext of observing Karnataka bandh on the issue of the Mahadayi river water sharing.

“The police have been directed to take strict action against those who indulge in violence and cause inconvenience to public during the bandh. We will not tolerate public nuisance. Security has been beefed up in sensitive districts of Belagavi, Dharwad, Haveri and Gadag,” he told reporters here.

Two battalions of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Border Security Force (BSF) have been deployed in the four districts to maintain law and order. Three Additional Director Generals of Police Raghavendra H Auradkar, Bhaskar Rao and Kamal Pant have been entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring law and order in the four districts. The police have taken 56 persons into preventive custody in Belagavi and 36 persons in Hubballi, the Minister said.

Asked whether the Congress would support the bandh call, Parameshwara, who is also the state Congress president, said the party will support any peaceful protest that is in the interest of the state.

“We will support peaceful protest that is in the interest of the state. It is the right of every citizen to protest if there is any injustice. But we don’t support violence,” he added.

He said the government will not declare holiday for schools and colleges in view of the bandh. But the deputy commissioners of districts will be authorised to take an appropriate decision based on the local situation.

122 arrested

The police have arrested 122 people and slapped 14 cases in connection with violent protests in Gadag, Hubballi-Dharwad, Haveri and Belagavi on Thursday against the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal’s order rejecting the state’s interim plea.

In Navalgund and Nargund, the protesters damaged government offices and set many government vehicles on fire. Damage to public property in Navalgund alone is estimated to be Rs 70 lakh.