Border row: Karnataka ready to counter M'rashtra's move

The Karnataka government is fully prepared to counter Maharashtra which has approached the Supreme Court seeking the inclusion of Belgaum, Nippani and Khanapur towns in its territory.

Karnataka primary and secondary education minister Basavaraja Horatti said this here while addressing reporters here on Thursday.

The Maharashtra government has filed a petition in the apex court demanding the inclusion of the three towns into its territory on the grounds they have predominantly Marathi-speaking populations.

"The issue came up for discussion in the Cabinet meeting. Our stand is clear "" the Mahajan Commission report, which states that the three towns should remain within Karnataka is final. We have asked the legal department to be prepared to fight the issue," he added.

The Supreme Court's notice to the Karnataka government seeking response to the Maharashtra government's petition is expected any moment.

"There is no going back on the issue. Our response to the apex court will be based on the Mahajan Commission report," he said.