Daijiworld News Network - Udupi  (GA) - pics - Durga Digitals

Udupi, Aug 9: Members and activists of various local organizations once again stopped ore-laden lorries from plying on the National Highway 17 and stopped many lorries at Kallianpur-Santhekatte area on Tuesday August 8.

As reported earlier ore-laden lorries were stopped at Shiroor for 5 days in the last week as per the decision taken at the KDP meet to stop the entry of overloaded lorries.  At last after meeting with the lorry owners and the administration all the 924 lorries were allowed to ply on district roads on their way to New Mangalore Port to unload manganese ore.  It has also been decided to construct a weigh-bridge at Shiroor before more lorries entered the district.

But ore-laden trucks have continuously been plying on the roads from August 1.  Since weigh-bridge is supposed to be constructed by another 10 days, district administration had decided not to stop ore-laden lorries.  But on Tuesday some local organizations stopped many lorries without any notice at Kallianpur-Santhekatte. 

Meanwhile the lorry owners association and ore exporters have taken legal help and have filed a petition in the court.  Having taken this petition for hearing, the court has ordered only to stop overloaded lorries from plying while other lorries should be allowed ply as usual.  So SP Dr Subrahmaneshwar Rao who arrived at the place told the protestors that ore-laden lorries cannot be stopped unless they are overloaded.  He also told the leaders of the organizations not tamper law and take law unto their hands.

Accordingly, the lorries are weighed at a private weigh-bridge near here and overloaded lorries are fined.  The extra ore on those lorries is transferred to other lorries.  MP Manorama Madhwaraj, RTO M P Omkareshwari too arrived at the place and met the lorry drivers as well as protestors.

BJP yuva morcha president Thingale Vikramarjun Hegde, general secretary Baikady Suprasad Shetty, Bajrang Dal convener Madhukar Mudradi, Jnanavasant Shetty, Yashpal Suvarna of Hindu Yuva Sene were also present.