Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Feb 13: Even as Gadinadu Rakshana Vedike supported by Congress backtracked from the scene of protest against Talapady tollgate on national highway 66, protests spearheaded by Nagarika Hitarakshana Samiti, Talapady, Left Democratic Youth Federation (LDYF) Manjeshwar unit and Ullal block Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), took the initiative and held protest on both sides of the tollgate at Talapady on Karnataka's border with Kerala on Sunday February 12.
The protesters also warned the agency operating the tollgate that they will intensify protest if the company fails to positively respond to their demands.
The protest was undertaken by Private Bus Owners Association, Sunni Students Federation Talapady sector, local Anganwadi workers, women's organizations, apart from the above organizations.
Nagarika Hitakshana Vedike members reached the spot of protest by taking out a rally from K C Road. When protesters led by LDYF Kerala came in a procession from Talapady, policemen stopped them. Arguments ensured between policemen and the protesters after which the protesters squatted on the road on both sides of the gate to register their anger.
Addressing the protesters, president of Talapady panchayat, Suresh Alva, who had led the Nagarika Hitarakshana Samiti protest, expressed anger at the total neglect shown by Navayuga Infrastructure towards the plight of the citizens. He pointed out that lot of works are pending on the highway between Pumpwell and Talapady, and the panchayat and government school buildings are facing peril. "Navayuga company has been overlooking all these aspects. The concerned will have to brace for tougher protests in future if they neglect us now," he warned.
President of the Samiti and former Zilla panchayat member, Vinay Naik Talapady, said that the tollgate had been set up by the company in an unscientific manner, which has effectively split Talapady into two. "People who have to travel 200 metres inside too are forced to pay toll charges. We have to pay toll even to visit school, temples, mosque, and church here. A number of educational institutions are located on the northern side of this gate, and people are forced to pay toll to reach there. We have submitted memorandums to ministers of the state and MPs. They have to respond to our request and allow city buses to move around freely without the need to pay toll charges. For local commercial vehicles, they have to extend 50 percent concession. The people who forcibly collect toll should also know that they have failed in their responsibility to build service roads at Talapady, K C Road, Kotekar, Kolya, Thokkottu, Kallapu and Jeppinamogaru junctions," he said. He added that the current protest is symbolic and that the tollgate will face strong protests in future.
President of DYFI Kasargod district president, Manikantan, who led the rally that came from Kerala, accused the toll gate operators of robbing people. He noted that the national highway work that has been conducted for only a kilometre inside Kerala, has not been properly executed. He said that the company, which has been collecting toll, is trying to mainly rob poor people of Kerala.
Jeevan Kuthar, secretary of DYFI Ullal zone, noted that efforts to subdue protesters are going on. He noted that some people who held protest earlier, were enticed into cutting short their protest by giving them fake promises. He warned that LDYF will continue its protest till its demands are met.
Talapady panchayat president, Suresh Alva, vice president, Abbas Uchila, Buntara Sangh Talapady president, Jitendra Shetty, Talapady zone president of Bus Owners Association, Sharat Maroli, SSF Talapady zone leader, Hakeem, Altaf, Nagarika Samiti, Taxi Drivers and Owners Association president, Dinesh Kumpala, president of Tulunadu RakshanaV edike, Yogeesh Shetty Jeppu, and a large number of other leaders and dignitaries were present.