State to take up issue of Kannadigas in Goa: Minister

Bangalore, Aug 1 (UNI) The alleged attack on a Kannada-speaking panchayat chief in Goa echoed in Karantaka Legislative Council today with State Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar assuring the House to take up the matter with Goa Government to put an end to such incidents in future.

Mr Shettar gave this reply to Mr Saleem Ahmed (Cong) who brought to the notice of the House that Panchayat President Sharada Rathod was attacked by a former panchayat chief when Ms Rathod was holding a meeting.

Expressing concern over the incident, Mr Ahmed claimed Kannada- speaking people living in Goa were facing threat to right of life in the tiny state.

He also urged the state government to take steps to protect their interests and punish the guilty responsible for the assault on the elected representative.

Intervening, Leader of the Opposition H K Patil also asked Karnataka Government to take up the issue with Goa Government and ensure such incidents did not recur.

UNI