Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (HB)

Udupi, Jan 30: District Schedule Caste and Scheduled Tribes, and Sand Boat Workers' Association staged protest in front of DC office Rajathadri, Manipal here on Tuesday, January 29 demanding reservation and permission for sand extraction in Udupi.

State mining minister Rajshekhar Patil visited protest place, while on the way to DC office and received memorandum from the protestors.

Udaya Thallur, honorary president of the association informed minister Patil, “Most of the SC/ST families are depending on traditional sand extraction work as it is main profession for their livelihood. The district authority has given permission for unofficial sand mafia, PWD contactors, and liquor shops. They have issued permit for some people. No action has been taken against illegal businesses. Though we complained against these illegal activities to local political representatives, it is of no use.

“We demand social justice and the district administration should bring control over these activities. Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat is doing nothing in favour of the SC/ST community. The district authority is treating us like untouchables.

“We are demanding 30% reservation in license. They transferred the former mining department official forcibly asd he did not support illegal sand mining. Let the committee members allow us to grant license for sand extraction and let it add one SC/ST community member to the seven member committee,” he said.

K S Vijay, president, Vishwanath Pethri, vice president, Shekhar Hejamady, general secretary, Ramesh Kotian, Krishna Baje of district correspondents of DSS, BSS Bhima Gharjane members, SSD members were present.