Raichur: Tension prevailed in the city on Saturday as members of Dalit and progressive organisations attempted to gherao district minister Ajay Singh during his visit for the Independence Day flag-hoisting ceremony. The protesters demanded ministerial berths for Raichur MLAs and the appointment of a local legislator as the district minister.Raising slogans against the Congress govt, the protesters alleged that Raichur had been ignored in the allocation of cabinet positions and district minister posts.As the demonstrators tried to march towards Mahatma Gandhi Stadium, where the Independence Day celebrations were being held, police erected barricades to block their way. Some protesters attempted to breach the barricades, resulting in their detention.Anticipating unrest ahead of the minister’s arrival, police had made preventive arrangements and detained several protesters near Ambedkar Circle.Among those detained were advocate S Mareppa, Ravinderanath Patti, Ashok Kumar, C K Jain, Vishwanath Patti, Amaregouda Pati and Narasappa, along with several other activists. All those detained were released later.
