Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (TP/HB)

Udupi, Feb 10: The indefinite hunger strike launched by Karnataka Karmika Vedike (KKV) at Clock Tower here entered the third day on Friday, February 10. Vedike president Ravi Shetty warned the district administration and the state government and also threatened to commit suicide.

He said, "Coolie workers are in dire straits due this attitude of the government. We want the district administration and the state government to give us a written assurance that our issues will be sorted out".

BJP member Yashpal Suvarna said, "The district in-charge minister and the district administration is playing hide-and-seek with daily wage workers. The strike is on from three days. Both the district in-charge minister and the district administration will be responsible if the situation worsens. They are solely responsible for this entire incident".

On Thursday, three protestors took ill during the protest. One of the protestors, identified as Sudhakar, had to be rushed to hospital. The protest turned tense as the agitators burnt tyres on the road and blocked traffic.

Additional District Collector Anuradha visited the spot on Thursday and requested the protestors to calm down. A meeting was scheduled to held later in the day to resolve the issue.

According to sources, members of Karnataka Karmika Vedike have been found checking the permit of lorries transporting sand illegaly near Thalepade in the district.

It may be recalled, the Vedike had launched the fast-unto-death protest on Wednesday, February 8 against sand mining ban in Udupi district which had effected daily wage workers.