Summary:
Mumbai, Dec 6 (PTI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday spoke to Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai over stone pelting on vehicles from Maharashtra entering the southern state amid a raging border row and said he will also take up the matter with the Centre.
He blamed Karnataka for creating needless controversy over the border row after the Maharashtra government last month appointed two ministers to coordinate with the legal team regarding the court case on the decades-old boundary dispute between the two states.
In the backdrop of rising tension between the two states over the border row, a video surfaced on social media showing some people throwing stones at vehicles entering Karnataka from Maharashtra near a toll booth at Hirebaugwadi in Belagavi district of the adjoining state.
Sources close to the Maharashtra Deputy CM said, “Fadnavis made a phone call to Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and expressed his disappointment over the Hirebaugwadi incident.” “The Karnataka Chief Minister assured Fadnavis of strong action against the perpetrators.
He also assured Fadnavis that vehicles entering Karnataka from Maharashtra will be given proper protection,” the sources said.
Speaking to reporters later in the day, Fadnavis said, “I am going to inform Union Home Minister Amit Shah about today"s incident as well.
It is not a good thing if such incidents keep taking place between the two states.” The deputy CM, who also handles the home portfolio, said the Constitution allows free movement of people in the country.
“The Constitution has empowered everyone to travel from one state to another, start a business or to live anywhere.
If this fundamental right is being trampled upon, then the state in question should stop such incidents,” he said.
“If a state fails to stop such incidents, then the matter will have to be escalated to the national level.
I am keeping a close watch on developments and what has been promised by the chief minister of Karnataka.
I will apprise the Union Home Minister about all these developments,” said the deputy chief minister.
Asked about some people blackening buses of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) in Maharashtra, Fadnavis said, “There is a reaction to an action.