Bus Services Halted Amid Karnataka-Maharashtra Tensions

Bus services have been suspended between Karnataka and Maharashtra due to attacks on buses and crew, escalating from a language dispute in Belagavi. The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike has planned a protest. Tensions arise from a complaint involving language use by a bus conductor with a Marathi-speaking passenger.

Bus services between Karnataka and Maharashtra have been suspended following a series of attacks on vehicles and personnel. The decision, confirmed by a senior officer from the North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), is a reaction to tensions in the border district of Belagavi over a contentious border issue.

In a related development, the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, led by Narayana Gowda, has announced a 'Belagavi Chalo' protest. The group plans a march, protest, and public meeting in Belagavi, escalating the ongoing agitation.

The unrest originates from a language dispute in Belagavi where a bus conductor allegedly misbehaved after a passenger complained about him not using Marathi. This incident triggered attacks on buses from both states, prompting a call for peace from Karnataka Ministers, while Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy criticized the Maharashtra government for inaction.