Udupi: Protest Against ISPRL Gets Massive Support as All Parties Join in

Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Dec 20: A large scale protest was held here on Monday December 19, against the proposed expansion plan of Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) to expand its area of operation by acquiring additional land through the second phase of acquisition process. The protest was highly successful, as leaders of all the three parties, BJP, Congress and JD(S), lent support to the protestors.

The protestors aired their anger at the ambitious expansion plan of the company, which had initially acquired 200 acres of land two years ago at Padoor in Kaup assembly constituency. They said that the company is now conducting a survey for second phase of expansion, through which it wants to acquire 700 acres of land, driving 200 families to the streets in the bargain.

They said that agricultural land and religious centres are among those which are facing the danger of being destroyed because of the company’s expansion plan. Addressing the protestors, Kutyar Prasad Shetty said that none of the people of Padoor are prepared to part with their lands for the proposed project.

He announced that Kalattoor Jana Jagruti Samiti will fight the plan for additional land acquisition tooth and nail, adding that the Samiti will also lend support to the anti-UPCL bandh proposed to be observed on December 26. He said that if the people stand united and do not get lured by the offers of high compensation which may come their way, the companies can be stopped from setting foot here. He also apprehended danger to Tulunade and its culture because of companies like MRPL, MSEZ, UPCL, Suzlon, ISPRL etc.

Chairman of Karnataka Fisheries Federation, Yashpal Suvana, zilla panchayat president, Katapadi Shankar Poojary, taluk panchayat president, K Devadas Hebbar, Lions district governor, Jayakar Shetty Indrali, Kalattoor Jana Jagruti Samiti honorary president, Gurme Suresh Shetty, Raita Sangha district president, Vijay Kumar Shetty, Mattar Ratnakar Hegde, former zilla panchayat president, Gladys D’Almeida, zilla panchayat member, Arun Shetty Padoor, Kaup Diwakar Shetty, and other leaders, in addition to thousands of villagers, participated.

Businesses, auto rickshaws, taxies etc from Kaup and Shirva suspended their business for the day, and residents of eight villages affected by the project, took part in the protest. MLAs Lalaji R Mendon, K Raghupati Bhat, former minister, Vasant V Salian, JD(S) district president, Deviprasad Shetty and BJP district president, K Uday Kumar Shetty, pledged their wholehearted support to the movement of the people and vowed to carry out the protest till the company shelves its expansion plan.

A protest procession which began from KSRTC bus stand here wound its way through K M Marg, taluk office, Ajjarkad and Brahmagiri, before culminating in a public meeting near the office of the deputy commissioner, where a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister was handed over.