Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Feb 11: A day after the Karnataka Karmika Vedike withdrew its fast-unto-death protest against the ban on mining, protest erupted once again on Saturday February 11 after sub-inspector (SI) of traffic stoped a truck transporting quarry stones and imposed fine.

Traffic SI Venkatesh reportedly stopped a truck caryying quarry stones at Beedinagudde junction on Saturday and imposed a fine of Rs 1,000. As news spread, members of the Vedike along wth locals gathered and gheraoed the traffic police station here.

Condemning the SI's action, the protestors alleged that SI Venkatesh also demanded bribe from the truck owner. "He threatened to hand over the seized truck to the mines and geology department and said that the owner will then have to pay a royalty of Rs 25,000," they alleged.

The protestors also brought several trucks and symbolically parked them near the police station. They said that because of the ban, truck owners have been without work for the past one year.

The traffic was affected for some time.

The Vedike had ended its three-day hunger strike on Friday February 10 after the tahsildar and the offcials of the mine and geology department gave a written assurance to look into their demand to lift the ban on mining. The protestors had warned that they would intensify their agitation if their demands were not met.