Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Manglauru (SP)
Mangaluru, Feb 4: A meeting to discuss ways and means to intensify efforts to save lifeline of Dakshina Kannada district, River Netravati, was organized on Friday February 3 at Buntara Sangha auditorium at Bunts Hostel Circle here. The meeting decided to give further fillip to the ongoing fight meant to save the river from manipulation and diversion, which might spell its doom for coastal Karnataka eventually.
It was decided to hold fast unto death under the aegis of Netravati Samrskshana Samiti which has been spearheading a movement against Yettinahole project, with the participation of Dakshina Kannada MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, from February 10 onward. It was also decided to bring pressure on the government to shelve this disastrous project, with the support of religious leaders from all religions, MLAs, MLCs, zilla panchayat president, other people's representatives, artistes, and other persons.
President of Karavali Group of educational institutions, S Ganesh Rao, said that on the first day of the beginning of fast unto death programme on February 10, a minimum of 20,000 people will be brought together. He sought support of all the reliigious leaders, Swamijis, and educational institutions as well as others from the district for the resounding success of this protest programme.
Dramatist, Vijayakumar Kodialbail, in his address, pledged to see that every day, a team of not less than 25 artistes from the twin-districts will participate in this agitation. he also added that he will also make best efforts to ensure that an artiste having star value will take part in the programme every day. President of Bar Association, S P Changappa, took responsibility to make sure that advocates from each taluk from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts will participate in this programme. Raghveer Sooterpet felt that it would be better if the prospects of taking support of people from Kolar who have opposed the project, are examined.
Harikrishna Bantwal pointed out that the district already has been reeling under shortage of water and the deputy commissioner has barred farmers living upstream from Bantwal from pumping of water for agriculture. He asked people to join the fight if they want to make sure that people of the city get drinking water in the coming days.
MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, Harikrishna Bantwal, Monappa Bhandary, Purushotham Chitapur, Sharan Pumpwell, Jitendra Kottary, Satyajit Suratkal, Raghuveer Sooterpet, Anand Adyar, Sanjay Prabhu, Dinakar Shetty, several Swamijis, religious heads, leaders of organizations etc will participate in the fast unto death programme. They will be supported by various organizations, leaders, priests, Swamijis etc, said Satyajit Suratkal.
Zilla panchayat president, Meenakshi Shantigodu, vice president, Kasturi Panja, leaders like Monappa Bhandary, Purushotham Chitrapur, Sudhir Shetty Kannur, M B Puranik, Sharan Pumpsell, Taranath Kottary, Ajitkumar Rai Maladi, Ramachandra Bykampady, Yogeesh Kumar Jeppu, Jagannath Shetty ala, and Pushparaj Jain were present at the meeting.