Daijiworld Media Network – Shimoga (SP)

Shimoga, Feb 17: Former state minister, Hartalu Halappa, who lost his ministerial post because of his alleged involvement in a rape case, came to blows with a few local people’s representatives on Wednesday February 16. The street fight occurred at Harishi village in Sorab taluk in the district.

On Wednesday, the primary health centre of Harsihi village was set to be inaugurated. A group of about 50 local people, led by the local gram panchayat president, M Umapaty, staged a protest, demanding proper amenities at the hospital. They also locked up the hospital door, and stopped the concerned from setting up Shamiana for holding the inaugural function.

MLA, Halappa, who was to inaugurate the centre, requested the protestors to allow him to inaugurate the primary health centre, and sought time to meet their demands. The protestors were unrelenting. Halappa told them that he was determined to inaugurate the centre, and proceeded to break the lock. There was a skirmish between the protestors and people loyal to Happa, and both groups jostled each other, used filthy language, and fought a pitched battle.

At the end of it, Halappa inaugurated the primary health centre. Both sides have filed complaints with the policemen.