N Karnataka panel sets deadline for CM

Puttappa said problems of all the 14 districts should be listed and discussed. The problems were of a very delicate nature and there had to be cooperation from everybody. He said that there should be some balance in the state as far as development was concerned, starting from recruitment.

Krishna and former chief minister J H Patel had termed those who asked for a separate state as traitors, he said. However, they should realise that it was the people of North Karnataka who had fought for the unification of the state and if they were driven to ask for a separate state, the reasons must have been really strong. Nobody wanted to split the state, but it was in the hands of the Government to see that the unity of the State was preserved, he said, adding that this would be the last opportunity for the Chief Minister to solve the issue.

Basavaraj Horatti, MLC, said that demands could be fulfilled only if all political parties joined in the agitation. He also said the people should join the lawyers in their agitation.

Former MLA Hiregoudru, Chandrashekhar Alagundagi, former Jilla Panchayat president of Karwar, Pramod Hegde, Ashok Badiger, M D Gogeri, Prof Akki, Nagaraj Hunasimarad, Neelkant Asuti, G B Manwachar and several others spoke. The demand for a separate state made by many speakers was received enthusiastically.

But the agitation was on a low key, since all Government offices and banks were closed. The lawyers confined themselves to the court premises, where Irrigation Minister H K Patil addressed them. The Santosh Nagar Yuvak Mandal took out a procession through the main streets of the city.

The Bengeri Gram Devate and Durgadevi Committee is planning to get cattle in a procession and picket the office of the tehsildar as part of the protest today.