By Sunil Haleangady

Daijiworld Media Network—Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Mar 25: The awareness committee associated with the crude oil pipeline belonging to ISPR company in Paduru, Udupi, held a meeting in Seemanturu. On March 24, after discussing its pros and cons, under the leadership of Devi Prasad Shetty, the attendees went to Athikaribettu where work is in progress.

The pipeline will pass from Thokuru in Mangaluru to Padooru in Udupi taluk and will go through fertile land in several villages. These villagers are likely to lose their land.

The committee found that the work is going on despite the opposition of the people. They shouted at the contractor, a social worker from Mulky saying that he has no permission from the deputy commissioner (DC) to proceed with the work. They said that the land of some of the people is being dug without them being served notices and demanded that the work be stopped immediately.

Speaking on the occasion, Shetty, leader of the committee, demanded that the farmers be suitably compensated. “The pros and cons of the work should be discussed after taking them into confidence in a meeting in the presence of MLAs and MPs before starting the work,” he said.

Mulky police ensured that there were no untoward incidents. People awareness committee leaders Lawrence D’Souza, Muraleedhar Bhandary, Bala Chittaranjan Bhandary, Shivaram Shetty, Shanker Shetty, Kishore Shetty Deppuniguthu, and Dhananjay Kotian Mattu were present.