Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Nov 14: Surathkal Toll gate Horata Samithi along with likeminded organisations will carry out a foot march from Tadambail cross to Surathkal toll gate on November 18 demanding closure of Surathkal toll gate.
Meanwhile, the indefinite strike by the Surathkal Toll gate Horata Samithi demanding to scrap the toll gate has stepped into its 18th day.
It may be recalled, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel had given the deadline of November 7 for the closure of the toll gate. As the deadline crossed, the samithi warned of intensifying the protest. However, the government has not yet announced any date of notification regarding the toll gate.
The members of the samithi have been continuously raising their voice to discard the Surathkal toll gate. As part of the protest, the samithi had conducted ‘Toll Gate Chalo’ from Hejamady to Surathkal toll gate on March 22 and staged a protest on September 13 where the samithi warned that they will lay siege to the Surathkal toll gate on October 18.
On October 18, protestors gathered in large numbers and crossed the barricade put up by the police. Several leaders were arrested.
Former minister Ramanath Rai said, “MP Nalin lacks willpower regarding the issue. The assurance from the elected representatives cannot be trusted anymore. The toll gate is against the rules and has been continuously in violation. The protest needs to spread to the taluk level as well. The protest in progress has stepped into the 18th day. People have shown full support for the protest.”
CPIM leader Yadav Shetty, K Shekar, Dalit leader Raghu Yekkar, farmers leader Ravikumar Punacha, toll gate horata samithi member Imthiyaz, district Youth JD(S) president Akshith Suvarna and others were present.