Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, Dec 23: The Nagarika Horata Samithi, Jokatte and DYFI members held a broomstick protest rally, against false cases filed on the protesters and also demanded closure of MRPL Sulphur, Coke units from Kottara Chowki to Mangalore Urban Development Authority, Urwa on December 22.

Addressing the protesters, DYFI leader Muneer Katipalla said, " We have been protesting against the negative impact on environment, health, pollution but many forces are trying to extinguish the flame which is fighting for the good cause of the people. The district administration or the peoples representatives are also not giving heed to our demands."

" We demand the closure of the Sulphur, Coke units, and also all other harmful projects which are being implemented by SEZ to be stopped immediately. We have intensified the protest and as a result the compound wall construction and the road construction for SEZ has stopped."

"Within one week four false criminal cases have been filed against the protest leaders by the protesters. Also media efforts are being made to showcase the leaders as criminals which we strongly condemn. No police force could stop our protest. At midnight, after the people have slept the SEZ works as robbers, which is the result of our protest. We do not fear the lathis of the police."

" The broom in our hands is just a demo right now. If the concerned officers and representatives do not heed to our protest, we warn them today that it will be used as a weapon and not as a demo. It is a warning from our side that if our demands are not met, there will be no more quiet protest marches like today."

Jokatte Nagarika Horata Samithi Convener B S Hussain, DYFI city unit president B K Imtiyaz and others were present during the protest.