Inchara Udupi
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Apr 29: The locals at Padur here staged a strong protest on Wednesday April 29 against the officials who came to suvey the area for laying a 110-km high-tension power line between Nandikoor and Padoor as part of the ISPRL project.
The protest which began peacefully turned chaotic after locals allegedly assaulted the survey officials.
The protest was organized by Kalathur Janajagruti Samiti near Kalathur Vishwakarma Sangha premises. Hundreds of villagers took part in the protest.
Addressing the gathering, Udupi gram panchayat union president Dr Deviprasad Shetty said, "In the name of people-friendly projects, the central and the state governments are keeping the people in the dark and pushing forward industries. In the guise of security, attempts are being made to grab people's lands and even their lives. The government and officials are turning a deaf ear to the people's demands. I am ready to fight for justice for the people no matter what price I may have to pay in the course of the this struggle."
Kalathur Janajagruti Samiti president Lawrence Fernandes said, "The survey work done earlier for Nandikoor-Padur high-tension power line and installation of Padur-Thokur underground pipeline were highly unscientific. We had given memorandums regarding this to three deputy commissioners of Udupi district, but none of them responded. Now all of a sudden, the district administration has served notices to land owners and come forward to carry out survey work. Is this justified?"
Advisor of the Samiti Shivaram Shetty said, "Those who had given up their lands for low prices for Padur project are now faced with the dilemma of having to do the same for the pipeline and for laying high-tension power line. We had supported the Padur project in the interest of the country. However, we will not support attempts to create problems for people in the name of Padur project."
ZP member Arun Shetty Padur, Kuthyar gram panchayat vice-president Praveen Kumar Gurme, Kuthyar gram panchayat former president Nityananda R Shetty, BJP leader Suresh Nayak and many others were present.