The Samyukta Horat Karnataka protest is tense in Kalaburagi

Protesters lay down in front of a police vehicle to prevent its movement during an agitation in Kalaburagi on Thursday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A protest by Samyukta Horata Karnataka members demanding that all talukas in Kalaburagi district be included in the drought-hit list turned violent in Kalaburagi town on Thursday when police detained two leaders and an agitator who was trying to douse petrol.

The protesters blocked the roads outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office. As the police tried to clear the road blockade, one of the agitators allegedly tried to pour petrol on them. The police intervened and arrested the agitating activists Sharanabasappa Mamshetty and Mahesh Rathod.

The situation took a dramatic turn when some other protesters lay down in front of the police vehicle and obstructed its movement. The agitation later shifted to the Mini Vidhana Soudha premises where the protesters continued to raise slogans against the state government.

Looking for a special package

The protesters demanded that Kalaburagi district be declared drought-affected and a special package of ₹1,000 crore be released for the district. They sought drought relief of ₹50,000 per acre for farmers affected by crop loss.

They also demanded waiver of farmers’ loans from nationalized banks or extension of repayment period in view of the drought situation.

Other demands included the release of Karnataka’s share of 15 tmc of water from the Ujani reservoir in Maharashtra into the Bhima river. The protesters sought immediate commencement of drought relief works to employ people in rural areas.

They also demanded that the government set up gaushalas, make adequate provision for cattle fodder and introduce measures to address the scarcity of drinking water in rural areas.

Farmers claimed discrimination in payment of crop insurance claims. They also asked for the release of the second installment of crop insurance compensation to farmers who were left out. The protesters demanded that all farmers whose crops were damaged be included in the insurance scheme.

The protesters accused the state government of taking a “paternal attitude” towards Kalaburagi district by not including its talukas in the drought declared list despite lack of rainfall and crop damage during the kharif season.

They demanded the resignation of all three ministers from Kalaburagi district, alleging that they failed to ensure drought relief for the district and did not adequately represent farmers’ interests to the state government.

Samyukta Horata Karnataka said the unrest would intensify in the coming days. They warned against organizing protest actions outside the residences of ministers in Kalaburagi; they said that black flags would be hoisted during ministers’ visits to the district if they failed to resolve farmers’ problems immediately.

Leaders Bhimashankar Madiyal, MB Sajjan, Maula Mullah, Siddappa Kalashetty and Umapati Patil were among those who participated in the protest.

Published – 29 Aug 2026 19:56 IST