144 imposed in K’taka town as Banjara protest over quota to SC
SHIVAMOGGA: Agitating members of the Banjara community on Monday targeted BJP strongman and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa’s house in Shikaripura town of this district and resorted to stone-pelting, injuring some policemen during a protest against the internal reservation for the Scheduled Castes (SCs) announced by the state government.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC have been imposed in the town. Reacting to the incidents, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai saw Congress hand behind the violence.
“Local Congress leaders are instigating people. The Congress is unable to digest the social justice done to every community and it resorted to inciting violence. Banjara community should not fall for any hearsay,” he told reporters.
Police used batons to disperse the large number of protesters which included women. Some members of the Banjara community, who are also known as Lamani or Lambani, were injured.
The agitators vented their anger, alleging that “less” reservation was given to the ‘Scheduled Caste-Touchables’, to which the Banjara community belongs.
Appealing to the leaders of Banjara community to exercise caution, Bommai clarified,“They (Lambanis) have apprehension that they will be removed from the SC list. It was me who ordered that Bovi, Lamani, and other communities such as Korcha and Korma be retained in the SC list. There is no question of removing them. Hence, an order has been passed and sent to the central government. There is no need to fear,” Bommai said.