Pics: Arun Uppinangady
Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (DV)
Updated
Puttur, Sep 15: Thousands of people accompanied by leaders braved heavy rains on Tuesday September 15 and raised a united voice against the controversial Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water Project at Uppinangady here.
In a massive protest called by Anti Netravati River Diversion Action Committee and other like-minded bodies, around 7,000 people marched from Aditya hotel to Uppinangady bypass junction, blocking the national highway all morning. Towards the afternoon, the protestors courted arrest as part of the planned 'jail bharo andolan'.
The police who were comparitively very less in number struggled to arrest all the protestors. However, many who led the protest, like Dr Niranjai Rai and others were detained and taken away in police buses. The other protestors continued to sit in dharna despite heavy rains, demanding the scrapping of the Yettinahole project.
Prior to the agitation, Puttur MLA Shakuntala Shetty met the protestors and said that though she could not join the protest being part of the government, she was against the project.
"I am part of the government, so I cannot join the protest, but being the people's representative I will represent your voice in the state Assembly. I have already raised this issue in the Assembly. We have to find alternative way. I cannot protest here as it would be anti-government," she told the protestors.
"I will urge the government to find other alternatives to provide water to Kolar and other regions," she assured.
Without naming union law minister and former CM D V Sadananda Gowda, Shetty said, "Being from Dakshina Kannada, he implemented the project during his tenure as CM. Our government only took it forward. Only MLA Vasanth Bangera and I have raised voice against this project. I will also meet CM Siddaramaiah personally and bring the matter to his attention.
"The union government should interfere in the matter and drop the project as it affects the ecology and environment. They can lift water by building dams, but this project is harmful," she added.
Regarding Ramanath Rai's support to the project, she said, "Being part of the government, Rai and other ministers cannot express their personal opinions even if they are against the project. They cannot go against the government. Why is Sullia MLA S Angara not joining the protest?"
The protestors told Shakuntala Shetty that if she is able to stop this project, they would support her in future also.
Beltangady MLA Vasanth Bangera who visited the protest venue for a short while said, "I am against the Yettinahole project. People from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi should join hands and protest against this. It is our duty. The project is not scientifically feasible and it is not small amount that is going into it."
Asked if he was ready to resign as he had stated earlier, he said he would think about it.
Addressing the protest, Dr Niranjan Rai, convener of Anti Netravati River Diversion Action Committee, said, "We are not against providing drinking water, in fact we are ready to give water for the entire Karnataka. But this project is harmful to the environment and ecology, and its method is all wrong. They are diverting water from the base of the river which will harm the Western Ghats. This project is nothing but a means to loot the people. All people irrespective of caste, creed and religion have joined the protest today.
"The coastal region is beautiful because of the Western Ghats, hence the government should stop this project immediately. If the environment is harmed, it will be a curse upon us," he added.
"The project will not fetch 24 TMC of water as projected, but only 9 TMC. Efforts are also going on to divert water from the Netravati and the Kumaradhar rivers. Also, 220 mw of electricity will be required for this project, and to fulfill that need, the government will also implement the Niddodi ultra mega power project. Already we are facing problems due to UPCL, and in future, the problems will only increase," he said.
"Our representaives are fooling the people. They have betrayed us, and it is a matter of great shame. People have chosen them to raise voice in the Assembly. We too are contributing to the income of the state, hence all people of this region should unite," he urged.
Dinesh Holla, convenor of Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya, said, "There are two things - one, the government says only excess water will be taken, and secondly, it says excess rain water will be taken. The government should clarify where is excess water - has it done any study? Every citizen needs to ask the elected representatives three questions - Did you visit the spot of the project, do you know how much water is there in Yettinahalla, and did you make any detailed report."
"The Karnataka irrigation department says that 24 TMC of water will be available through this project, but the study by IISc has revealed that only 9 TMC of water can be available. The officials are trying to twist the report.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Sri Rajashekharananda Swamiji of Gurupur Vajradehi Math, Sri Gurudevananda Swamiji of Odiyoor Math, Sri Mohandas Paramahamsa Swamiji of Mahalaxmi temple, Manila, Youth Congress leader Mithun Rai, Bajrang Dal leader Sharan Pumpwell and many others joined the protest.
Addressing the protest, Vajradehi Swamiji said, "Netravati river is important to all, irrespective of religion or caste. It is chiefly important for agriculture in this region. This protest should reach the governments, both at the state and at the centre. In future this should turn into a great revolution."
Religious leader of Puttur mosque S B Mohammed Dharami said, "Netravati is like our mother and it gives water to the entire district. This cause has united us. Man should give importance to three entities - God, nature and humanity. This helps in smooth functioning of the world. Political will has diminished among our leaders.
"We are not against giving water to anyone. They can take as much water as they need through tankers, but we are against any project that goes against nature," he added.
"When our religious centres are under threat, we rush to save them, so now when our river is under threat, we should come together to save it. This river is a symbol of harmony," he said.
Odiyoor Swamiji said, "We should introspect why we are here. We are not opposing provision of water, but the diversion of Netravati river, which is the lifeline of this region. Irrespective of caste and creed and religion have all joined here. Everyone should support this cause. We should be ready for every kind of struggle in the coming days. We should be proactive and determined in this cause.
"There should be awareness in schools and colleges and even women should join in large numbers. The protest should reach the union government," he said.
Even actor Arjun Kapikad joined the protest and demanded the scrapping of the project. "Without Tulunadu, there won't be any Tulu films. The entire Tulu film industry should also support this cause and save our river and our motherland," he urged.
When more protestors tried to join in, the police stopped them at Subramanya cross road. However, after the intervention of the organizers of the protest, the police allowed them.
The police finally managed to disperse the protestors after detaining many of them. By late afternoon, the traffic was restored.