Belagavi: High drama prevailed in Belagavi city all day on Friday, January 17, when local police detained Maharashtra health minister Rajendra Patil Yadravkar for entering the city without permission. Yadravkar alleged that he was manhandled by the Belagavi police.
It all started when the martyrs’ day was organised by the Maharashtra Ekikarana Samiti (MES), which is fighting for the merger of Belagavi with Maharashtra. The organisation had invited Yadravkar as the chief guest for the event. However, the local police refused to grant him permission to enter the city.
It is alleged that Yadravkar entered the city in a bus, despite not having permission, and later, took an auto to reach the event venue. When the police saw him, they detained him and sent him back to Maharashtra in his own vehicle.
According to the police, they had inspected all the vehicles entering Belagavi from Maharastra, but since he travelled in a bus, they were not able to find him.
Later, Yadravkar alleged that he was manhandled by the police, however, the police have denied this. Angered by the incident, the minister’s supporters staged a protest in parts of Maharashtra.
