Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)
Mangalore, Mar 4: "The Dakshina Kannada district bandh on Monday March 3 against the Yettinahole project was one of the most successful bandhs in the history of DK district," said former MLA Vijaykumar Shetty, addressing a press meet here on Tuesday, March 4.
"Many youths, students, various institutions and especially the media helped a lot in the success of this bandh. I would like to render a heartfelt thanks to all those who directly or indirectly supported the bandh," he said.
"We will take up this issue very seriously as the foundation stone laying ceremony has already been held amidst protest and bandh. Continued support from all is needed in the coming days, as it is an issue that affects everyone. The people of DK district have been ahead in all aspects and we will not stop till our demands are fulfilled or our goal is reached," he asserted.
"Every association that supported this bandh and others too must give out statements daily with regard to this issue, so as to keep this issue alive. Religious leaders and experts should also take this issue seriously. The government must feel the pain and sufferings of the people through protests, bandhs and various press statements."
He further added, "Wrong information was given at the foundation stone laying ceremony held yesterday. We will also fight against this project legally. Swamijis, Bishops, Qazis, educational institutions, and business enterprises have also extensively supported the bandh. People need to rise against this issue on their own," he urged.
"We will fight the battle legally in the high court. The entire project has been granted to the Karnataka Neeravari Nigam (irrigation department), and this Nigam takes up only minor irrigation systems and not major ones, but this is a major project and that they cannot grant this project to that authority. The government has promised that the project would be completed in two years, but I bet that it will take a minimum of 10 years," he said.
"Since Moily and I are from the same political party, I cannot directly stand against him, but if our groups and associations are doing that, I won’t stop them by any means. As the Congress party has done a lot for me in earlier days, there is no question of leaving the party or joining any other party," he added.
M G Hegde said, "The bandh has set various records. For the first time, after 40 years, the central market was shut completely. DK district has never ever observed such a successful voluntary bandh. People of the district have been successful in expressing their anger towards the project and the government."
He added, "U T Khadar has passed a statement that he will take up discussions on this matter and try to resolve the issue. I would like to openly ask Khadar to relinquish the charge of Kolar district and not leave the people of DK. Please do not try to keep your feet on two boats. You have a good political future, so do not do anything to spoit that."
He further said that much confusion has been generated with regard to the Yettinahole project. There is no authentic information conveyed on the project to the people of the coastal areas, he added.
Dinakar Shetty said the members of All College Students' Union are all set to show black flags to Moily and Sadananda Gowda if they attend any programme in the district. "We must make sure that they are not called as guests for any function. Moily's speech during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the project has hurt the sentiments of the people of DK and the student community," he said.
"Take any action you want against us, but we will surely create nuisance in any programme attended by Moily in the district," he warned.
Leaders Shashiraj Shetty Kolambe, Denis D’Silva, Nemiraj Shetty, Uttham Alva, Hussain Katipalla and others were present.