10-day winter session of legislature gets under way in Belagavi

BELAGAVI: The 10-day winter session of the Karnataka legislature began on Monday at the Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi, with several ministers, MLAs, and MLCs in attendance. Several ministers, including G Parameshwara, Dinesh Gundu Rao, and Madhu Bangarappa, arrived in Belagavi, along with other dignitaries.

Tight security arrangements have been made with over 6,000 police personnel deployed to ensure a peaceful conduct of the session. The session is expected to witness protests from various groups, with 84 organisations planning to stage demonstrations. Two separate locations, Suvarna Garden and Malini City, have been allocated for the protests, with temporary tents and medical facilities set up.

The police have made arrangements for thorough checks of protesters entering the tents, with 500 police personnel and several senior officers deployed. The Suvarna Garden protest area has been allocated nine tents, with facilities for drinking water and medical aid. The police have also set up 800 CCTV cameras in and around the Suvarna Soudha and the city to ensure security.

The first day of the session was peaceful with no protests planned at Suvarna Garden. Various groups, including farmers, students, and activists, are expected to participate in the protests, demanding action on issues such as reservation, separate statehood, and district division.