CM: Mhadei row won’t affect safety of Goans in Karnataka

Porvorim: Chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Friday expressed confidence that the Karnataka government would ensure the safety of Goans in Karnataka where protests are being witnessed since Wednesday.
Protests broke out in north Karnataka on Wednesday following the Mhadei water disputes tribunal’s interim order rejecting the state’s plea to divert the waters of the river Mhadei.
Speaking on the floor of the Goa legislative assembly, Parsekar said people “should not panic” and informed that he has conveyed his concern about the safety of Goans to the Karnataka government.
Parsekar said buses to Karnataka have been stopped as a precautionary measure. Buses from Karnataka though continue to ply to and from Goa.
Comparing the neighbouring state to an older brother, the chief minister said, “It is not a fight between two states. There is no place for bullying in any democracy.”
He added that his counterpart in the Karnataka government will ensure safety of Goans in Bengaluru and Belagavi.
A bandh called by pro-Kannada groups vandalized government offices at some places in North Karnataka on Thursday. Goa government-owned Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd (KTCL) stopped its buses to Karnataka for two days from Thursday.
Earlier, independent MLA Rohan Khaunte said the Goa government should not take the protests in Karnataka over the Mhadei water dispute lightly.
Opposition leader Pratapsingh Rane said the issue needs to be resolved amicably.