Belagavi witnessed a demonstration on Friday as members of the Kuruba community, led by the Karnataka Pradesha Kurubara Sangha, voiced their concerns over a surge in sheep thefts. The protesters accused law enforcement of inaction despite repeated complaints.
Marching from Channamma Circle to the deputy commissioner’s office, activists and community leaders raised slogans, demanding stringent measures against livestock thieves. They submitted a formal memorandum to the district administration, urging swift intervention.
Yallappa Kurubar, former mayor of Belagavi and district president of the Karnataka Pradesh Kurubara Sangha, highlighted that incidents of sheep being stolen have escalated over the past two to three months. He pointed out that criminals operate at night, arriving in vehicles to carry out the thefts. Despite several complaints filed with the police, no significant steps have been taken to curb the menace.
He urged the district administration to direct law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to prevent further thefts. Specifically, he called for proactive measures from officers under the jurisdiction of Belagavi Rural Police Station and Kakati Police Station. Arresting the culprits at the earliest, he stressed, would help restore security among shepherds and farmers.
The demonstrators emphasized the need for immediate action to safeguard their livestock and livelihoods, urging authorities to ramp up security operations.
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