Arun Uppinangadi

Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (RJP)

Puttur, Sep 13: “There has been a widespread support for the protest on Yettinahole, scheduled to be held on September 15 in Uppinangadi and this protest is going to create a new history. Until the government replies to our questions properly, we will not retire.” said Dr Niranjan Rai, the convenor of the anti Nethravati river diversion action committee.

The preparatory meeting was held at the panchayat hall in Uppinangadi on Sunday in which they discussed the modalities of the protest. “Everyone should take responsibility in the protest. No place should be given for political accusations during the protest. People should only shout ‘Save Nethravati, Save Western Ghats’ slogans. They should protest peacefully.” Dr Niranjan added.

“There is no chance for politicians and people’s representatives to make speeches during the protest. The protestors who are blocking the highway should only vacate after the police arrest them. Then only the protest will reach the government. The proposed protest is only the beginning and not the end. If the government does not respond to our problems positively, we will intensify the fight” Dr Niranjan continued.

U G Radha from the merchant’s association said “Last time, in the pretext of Mangaluru-Bengaluru highway repair, the government had stopped the vehicles plying on the road and cheated the commuters. The objective of the plan was the preparation for the implementation of the Yettinahole project. They even stored pipes on the road.”

Uppinangadi gram panchayat president Abdul Rahman K, KPPCC labour unit state secretary Nazir Mata, Abdul Rahman Yunik, Jayantha Poroli, Manohar Shetty Barya, Kaje Eshwar Bhat, Raghunatha Rai, Harish Shetty, Azim Ninikal, U Rama, Sachin Sundara Gowda, Munir, Suresh Athramajalu, Sunil Dhaddu, Mohammed Thousif, Arun Uppinangady, Munir Ninikal, Zakaria Kailar, Rajagopal Bhat, U T Irshad, Kailar Shyam Prasad, Latha Balaraj, Ushachandra Muliya, Ananda Ramakunja, Prashanth D’Costa, Kempi Mohammed, Iqbal and others were present. Lokesh Bethodi welcomed and proposed vote of thanks.

For the people who participate in the protest, three parking arrangements have been made. The vehicles which come from Nelyadi side can park at Shukriya property near Kootelu bridge, Those coming from Beltangady can park at Junior college grounds and those arriving from Puttur and Mangaluru side can park at Nekkiladi santhe ground. Protestors should come at 9.00 am near Hotel Aditya and should join the rally to reach the highway behind the higher primary school at 10.00 am. The roads which lead to the highway from the town will be blocked with vehicles to stop the vehicular movements on the highway.” Dr Niranjan Rai said briefing about the preparations for the protest.