Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady

Beltangady, Oct 7: Beltangady taluk came to a complete standstill on Wednesday October 7 in response to the call for bandh against the Yettinahole project given by Netravati Ulisi Horata Samiti and other like-minded organizations.

As many as 40 organizations and unions are supporting the day-long bandh.

All shops and business establishments downed their shutters in support of the bandh. The roads wore a deserted look with auto rickshaws and buses also supporting the strike.

Most people remained indoors, and with the absence of public transport, many of the schools and colleges also declared a holiday.

In many places, the protestors staged 'rasta roko' and stopped private vehicles also.

A bike and some tyres were burnt in some places.

In Beltangady town, the locals led by leaders of various organizations used bullock carts, fowls and horse carts to register their protest.

Even KSRTC buses were stopped from plying to Beltangady taluk, which resulted in incovenience to passengers from other places.

The bandh will continue till evening. Police have stepped security in the taluk.

The people of Dakshina Kannada led by various organizations and environment experts have been demanding the scrapping of the controversial Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water Project, which has been envisaged to provide drinking water to Kolar, Chikkaballapur and other districts, on the grounds that it is an unscientific project that would results in heavy deforestation and damage to Western Ghats.