Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK/SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 25: BJP and its leaders have been repeatedly claiming that Mularpatna Bridge in Bantwal taluk crashed because of the sand extraction being carried out there by people close to former minister, Ramanath Rai. This allegation has been repeated by the party leaders on several occasions.

Congress leaders have now said that the bridge collapsed because of deep digging undertaken near the pillars supporting the bridge for laying special economic zone pipeline. They have pointed out that this work was personally executed by Bantwal municipal councillor, Govinda Prabhu of BJP, who was the contractor for the work.

They have not only released documents in support of their claim but also expressed their decision to complain to the Lokayukta and mines and geology departments seeking action against Govinda Prabhu and officials of special economic zone.

Congress leader from Bantwal, Jagadish Koila, who gave this information at a press conference on Tuesday, showed the photos taken during the execution of works under the bridge. He said that works for laying pipeline under the said bridge had been executed a year back, and Govinda Prabhu and special economic zone officials had personally supervised dredging work near the pillars of Mularpatna Bridge.

He said that they had not obtained permission from mines and geology department to remove sand through dredging. Koila said that the digging went up to the rock bottom of the pillar, adding that the bridge would not have crashed if pipeline was laid at a higher level. He accused BJP leaders of being aware of this truth, but trying to pass the buck to Ramanath Rai.

Koila stated that besides filing complaint against Govinda Prabhu and others in this connection, legal action will also be carried out after collecting all the related documents. He said huge protest will also be held near the bridge against BJP. He added that those who are involved with sand mafia at Bantwal happen to be followers of BJP MLA, Rajesh Naik, like Praveen Alva, Nandappa Rai, and Prakash Alva. He said that Congress activists had complained about extraction of sand by these people continuously by using backhoes in the past.

Congress zilla panchayat members, Thumbay Chandraprakash Shetty, Padmashekhar Jain, Bantwal block Congress president, Mayilappa Salian, and several other leaders were present.