Karnataka: KRV activists disrupt rail traffic

[Harold F. Schiffman]

SOUTHERN NEWS - KARNATAKA Dec 13, 2006


KRV activists disrupt rail traffic

Tuesday December 12 2006 11:58 IST

BELGAUM: Protesting against the Railway Ministry's new language policy, in
which Kannada has been killed, the Kannada organisations staged dharnas
and disrupted rail traffic here on Monday. The activists of Karnataka
Rakshana Vedike (KRV) stopped Tirupati-Kolhapur Haripriya Express for
about half-an-hour at Belgaum railway station on Monday. They burnt the
effigy of Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav on the premises of railway
station. About 200 activists including women sat on the tracks and also
climbed on the engine of the train. Protesters wrote Jai Karnataka slogan
on the engine and tied Kannada flags to the engine and the bogies.

Protesters withdrew their stir after railway officials assured them of
bringing the issue to the notice of the ministry. Vedike warned of
statewide agitation if the ministry did not revoke the new language
policy. The Railway Ministry, in its circular released on November 29,
stated that all the trains in the country would have boards in English and
Hindi only.  However, Tamil could be used as regional language in Tamil
Nadu. As per the instructions, the department has already removed Kannada
boards from Swarnajayanti, Tutukudi and Sharavati Express trains.
Meanwhile, Jai Karnatak Kannada Okkuta, protesting against the act of the
Railway Ministry, burnt the effigy of Yadav at Rani Chennamma circle.

Later, they reached the deputy commissioners office and presented a
memorandum to the government. They condemned Yadav and Railway Minister
for State Velu for giving priority to Hindi and Tamil. They threatened to
intensify the agitation if the notification was not withdrawn. Earlier,
Kannada Organisations Action Committee submitted a memorandum to the
government protesting against the act of the Railway Ministry.

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEK20061212013650&Topic=0&Title=Southern%20News%20-%20Karnataka&Page=K

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