Once again a voice for statehood has been raised with several organisations coming together to form a joint committee to launch an agitation.

Announcing this at a press conference in Hubballi on Tuesday, president of Karnataka Pratyeka Rajya Horata Samiti Kumar Hakari said that the agitation will be launched soon for creation of a state comprising 16 districts, including the districts of Kittur and Kalyana Karnataka.

Mr. Hakari said that the fight is against the injustice caused to North Karnataka and apathy of the successive State governments towards the rightful demands of the region.

“Already, various organisations, including pro-Kannada organisations, pro-Dalit, social and merchants associations, have extended support to the cause,” he said.

He also announced that the agitation will be kickstarted from Hubballi and later will be extended from Bidar to Uttara Kannada, Davangere and Shivamogga.

He said that because of the step-motherly treatment of successive governments, North Karnataka is lagging behind in several aspects and only statehood will help in resolving the issue.

Office-bearers of the samiti, including Irappa Emmi, Kiran Radder, Sanjugouda Malagi, Harish Gutnal and Shivaraddi Radder, were present.