Separate North Karnataka flag to be hoisted today

Bengaluru, July 31: Ahead of a scheduled meeting with Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, an outfit demanding separate north Karnataka state will unveil a flag for the proposed state in Belagavi on Tuesday.

"For decades we have faced the apathy of governments concerned only with the development of southern Karnataka and have ignored this region. To send out a message that this is a committed agitation, we will unveil a north Karnataka flag," Somashekhar Kotambari, president of the committee, was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

The agitation committee comprising as many as 24 organisations has as pressed for a separate state with region's 13 districts. They have called for North Karnataka bandh on August 2 demanding separate statehood for the region.

Menwhile, another protest has been called by head seers of many in north Karnataka district today. A symbolic protest in front of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi has been planned against the alleged step-motherly treatment towards north Karnataka by successive governments.

Organisations like Uttara Karnataka Horata Samiti and Uttara Karnataka Vikasa Vedike have also accused the state government of ignoring the region's interests.

In an embarrassment to the BJP in Karnataka, its Molakalmuru MLA B Sriramulu had batted for separate statehood for North Karnataka, alleging that injustice was done to the region. However, the party did not approve of his comment.