Kannada activists continue protest against Rly 'bias'

Bangalore, Jan 4 (UNI) About 50 pro-Kannada activists were arrested in Mysore as protests continued against Kannada-speaking people being 'ignored' by the Railway authorities while making appointments for vacancies in Group D category for which recruitment process was on in three places in Karnataka.

Various organisations came together today to protest against Railway Minister Lalu Prasad whom they accused of being biased against the people of the state.

Speaking after holding the protest at Hubli, Kannada Activist Vatal Nagaraj said Mr Lalu was trying to fill the Railways with people from his native Bihar.

''We will not let the tests proceed if people of Karnataka are biased against,'' he said.

Nearly 50 activists were arrested at Chamundi Vihar Sports Complex in Mysore where the recruitment process for South Western Railways (SWR) had been going on since yesterday.

The activists staged a demonstration in front of the stadium and shouted slogans against Mr Lalu.

In the city, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists staged protest at the Railway Grounds. They charged the Central Railway Board with denying jobs to those from the state since the time of Independence.

Mr Lalu had sent people from Bihar in a special train and they were being given preference by officials under 'instructions' from higher ups, they charged.

Recruitment was on for filling up 1.3 lakh posts in the D Group across the country. The process would continue till February 20.

UNI TEAM RS SIV RL RS1946