A longstanding border dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra has flared up following attacks on the statues of icons of the two states.

Karnataka police have registered a case after some Kannada activists allegedly blackened a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji in Bangalore while pro-Maharashtra activists vandalised a statue of freedom fighter Sangolli Rayanna in Belgaum where the winter session of the Assembly is underway.

The two incidents are linked to the protests by pro-Maharashtra activists in Belgaum, a northern Karnataka district claimed by Maharashtra due to its significant presence of Marathis.

The desecration of Rayanna’s statue came to light early on Saturday. Prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 have been clamped on Belgaum city from 8am on Saturday to 6pm on Sunday. The police have arrested 27 men for vandalising Rayanna’s statue, based on a complaint by the Sangolli Rayanna Sene.

More than 20 vehicles have been vandalised in Belgaum, allegedly by pro-Maharashtra activists.

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday demanded immediate action by the Karnataka government on those who had desecrated Shivaji’s statue in Bangalore. He demanded the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in stopping “Kannada atrocities” and the “pervert mindset”.

In Bangalore, the police have registered a case on a complaint by the Karnataka Maratha Welfare Association over the ink attack on the Shivaji statue at Bashyam Circle under Sadashivnagar police station.

Tension had been simmering in Belgaum ahead of the Assembly session as the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), a political outfit, has been campaigning for the inclusion of Belgaum in Maharashtra. The MES has been holding protests against the Assembly session in Belgaum city.

In retaliation, Kannada activists had recently smeared ink on MES leader Deepak Dalvi, following which the outfit hit back by burning the Kannada flag at Kolhapur, across the border in Maharashtra, on December 14.

The vandalism of the Shivaji statue in Bangalore is believed to be linked to the burning of the Kannada flag.

Part of the Bombay Presidency during the British Raj, Belgaum was included in the Mysore State — as it was then known — following the implementation of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. Maharashtra had objected to the move.

Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai condemned the violence and vandalism and said he had told the home minister to take strict action. “Incidents like stone pelting and causing damage to public property and government vehicles are illegal. I have directed the home minister to instruct the police to take strict action against the perpetrators,” the BJP leader said.” the BJP leader said.

“It is not right to deface statues of our national heroes,” Bommai said, citing the two incidents. “The timing of these illegal acts when the state legislature is in session will be part of the investigation,” he said, adding that the home minister and the police chief would speak to their counterparts in Maharashtra to ensure the safety of Kannadigas living there.

“Maintaining law and order in Karnataka is our responsibility. Similarly, it is the responsibility of the Maharashtra government to maintain law and order there. Our director-general of police will speak to his counterpart in Maharashtra about the security of Kannadigas there and attacks on buses and private vehicles from Karnataka. Our home minister will take up the issue with his Maharashtra counterpart. Then, if necessary, I will speak to the Maharashtra chief minister,” Bommai said.

In Mumbai, Uddhav said: “PM Modi should direct the Karnataka government to take action in the matter. This incident (alleged desecration of the Shivaji statue) cannot be taken lightly. For several years, Marathi-speaking people in Karnataka are facing atrocities. Now, the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is desecrated.” “It should be kept in mind that hurting the Marathi pride will prove costly. The Centre should give up its double standard and take stern steps,” he added.

Maharashtra urban development minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde said the Karnataka government would be responsible for any reaction to the desecration of Shivaji’s statue.

The Congress in Karnataka condemned the incidents. “Some lumpen elements are behind these acts of violence. I won’t blame the MES until investigations throw more light on who was responsible for all this,” state Congress president D.K. Shivakumar told reporters.