Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Dec 3: Under the leadership of Syed Meera Saheb, convener of Kodimbala Railway Development Action Committee, a protest by way of stopping Yashwantpur - Karwar train in Kodimbala station was held on Friday December 2 evening. The committee has been demanding a halt for day and night Bengaluru-Karwar, and Kannur trains at Kodimbala, upgrading of railway platform, construction of a good toilet block at the station, electrification etc.

Addressing the protesters on the occasion, Syed Meera Sahab pointed out that Bengaluru - Mangaluru train used to stop at Kodimbala in the past, but after the track conversion, only local trains are stopping there. "Kodimbala station is about two km away from Kadaba, and about 75,000 citizens living in 27 villages in the area are unable to make use of train facility as trains are not stopping here," he said. He also demanded improvement in basic infrastructure at the station. He further put forth demand for running of a local train between Mangaluru and Subrahmanya Road staiton.

Thousands of people had gathered at the railway station since 2.30 pm onward. The Yashwantput - Karwar train which arrived an hour behind schedule was stopped for seven minutes because of the fact that the protesters were squatting on the tracks. A memorandum was handed over to Prakash Kandri, divisional chief executive of Mysuru division, and section engineer, Gopakumar, seeking to meet demands listed there at the earliest. Kandri in response, promised to take steps for construction of toilet, provision of drinking water and electrification within 15 days. He also said that within a month, stop will be given for the train at Kodimbala. He also said that the railway platform will be upgraded within three months. Thereafter, the protest was withdrawn.

A number of leaders like zilla panchayat member, P P Verghese, taluk panchayat member, P Y Kusuma, taluk panchayat member, Fazal Kodimbala and others were present.

Police were present in large numbers. Puttur police inspector, Mahesh Prasad, and railway police supervised the law and order situation. Government buses had been kept ready to take away protesters in case the situation demands for such an action.