MES black day procession in Belagavi
Meanwhile, Karnataka police stopped more than 50 Shiv Sena activists from Maharashtra at the Koganolli checkpost in Nippani taluk while they were heading to Belagavi. Security was intensified across Belagavi and border areas, and no major law-and-order incidents were reported. Stay updated with the latest Hubballi news.
MES supporters marched from Sambhaji Udyan through key roads in Shahapur before concluding the procession at Maratha Mandir Kalyana Mantap near the railway overbridge. Participants raised slogans demanding the merger of Belagavi, Khanapur, Bidar, Bhalki, Karwar and Nippani with Maharashtra. Tension briefly flared when members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike’s Shivaramegowda faction allegedly attempted to enter the rally venue. Police took them into preventive custody and ensured the procession concluded peacefully under heavy security. The group, led by Vijay Devane, Kolhapur district president of the Uddhav Thackeray faction, was turned back and handed over to Maharashtra police. Shiv Sena leaders criticised the move, alleging Marathi-speaking residents were being denied a platform to voice their demands. Download the TOI App.
Belagavi : The Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) observed ‘Black Day’ in Belagavi on Sunday despite the district administration denying permission, staging a rally as a counter to Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations.