Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Apr 21: Ahead of the protest planned by Netravati Rakshana Samyukta Samiti against chief minister Siddaramaiah who is on a visit to the city on Thursday April 21, the police took into custody six activists who were on their way to join the protest.

The Samiti had announced that it would hold a silent protest and wave black flags against the CM at Suratkal junction over the implementation of the controversial Yettinahole project. The CM is scheduled to visit Suratkal later this evening to inaugurate/launch various works.

Ahead of the protest, the Panambur police, on receiving information, took into custody activist M G Hegde, Tulunada Rakshana Vedike president Yogish Shetty Jeppu, activist Jyothika Jain, Prashant, Siraj and Harish at Kulai.

The six were taken to Panambur police station.

Condemning the incident, activist Dinesh Holla of Sahyadri Sanchaya said, "This is goondaism by the district administration. Everyone has the right to protest in a Constitutional manner if they are facing problems from the government. These people were arrested while on their way to the protest venue, which means they have not even been allowed to protest. This is an attempt to suppress the activists who are raising voice against the project."

Earlier in the day, CM Siddarmaiah had told reporters at Mangaluru airport on his arrival that the Yettinahole project would be completed at the earliest and that it was a 'wrong perception' that the project would harm the coastal region.