KRV activists vandalize mayor’s office

BELGAUM: Activists of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) vandalized the chambers of the mayor and deputy mayor in Belgaum City Corporation (BCC) office here on Thursday, opposing the duo’s ‘alleged’ participation in the Black Day programme, organized by Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) on Tuesday, parallel to the Karnataka Rajyotsava.
Based on video footage, police arrested around 60 activists.Activists headed by Mahadev Talawar and Ganesh Rokade first broke the glass of the door of deputy mayor Renu Killekar’s chamber and later entered mayor Manda Balekundri’s chamber. They blackened the mayor’s name board and damaged the TV set, computer system, chairs and tables in the chamber.
Mayor Balekundri of Sarva Bhashik Sama Vichar Vedike and deputy mayor Renu Killekar of MES participated in the Black Day programme and made anti-state comments, which sparked off the controversy. Activists have demanded action against them and a ban on MES which they alleged has been provoking Marathi-speaking people against the government.