They resorted to stone-pelting, which resulted in some policemen being injured. As a result, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC have been imposed in the town.
Stones were pelted at the house of former CM #BSYediyurappa in Shikaripura in #Karnataka’s #Shivamogga district on… https://t.co/Q6t7JQuTpR
— TOI Bengaluru (@TOIBengaluru) 1679915376000
The large group of protesters, which included women, were scattered by police using batons. Several members of the Banjara community, also referred to as Lamani or Lambani, suffered injuries.
The majority of the protesters, who were young people, swarmed close to Yediyurappa’s house and began throwing stones, breaking window panes, which caught the police off guard.
When it became clear that the situation was getting out of hand, more forces were called in.
The agitators gave vent to their anger, alleging that “less” reservation was given to the ‘Scheduled Caste-Touchables’, to which the Banjara community belongs.
The Karnataka cabinet had last week decided to introduce internal reservation amongst the SCs.
After hiking reservation for the Scheduled Castes from 15 per cent to 17 per cent, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced that 6 per cent reservation would be given to SC left sub-category, 5.5 per cent to SC right, 4.5 per cent to Touchables and one per cent to others.
The state government also wrote to the Centre recommending that the proposal be included in the ninth schedule of the Constitution.
(With inputs from agencies)