News and pics: Hemnat Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Feb 15: Human Relations Front had organized a seminar on 'Universal Brotherhood and Humanity' at the town hall here on Saturday February 14.
Retired High Court judge Justice M F Saldanha, who participated as chief guest, accused the current state administration of extending tacit support to violent incidents in the twin-districts. He noted that the law and order situation in the coast has particularly collapsed since the last four months. Only a small group indulges in violence, but they have been able to disturb the lives and mental peace of people who far outnumber them, he rued.
Saldanha said that the policemen are vested with the basic duty of providing protection to the general public. However, they do not discharge their duties. Instead, they arrest the culprits only after they inflict damage, he commented. Because of the violent incidents and uncontrolled and uncivilized activities, the image of the districts has suffered, the business and dealings of the coast have suffered irreversibly, Saldanha lamented.
The twin-districts are home to about 7.5 lac students, many of whom have come here from other states/countries to study here. They are not indulging in anti-social activities but local groups are. This tantamounts to state-sponsored terrorism. In case of special economic zones, the guidelines say that only non-agricultural land has to be acquired for setting them up. However, in case of Mangalore SEZ, large tracts of agricultural land have been taken over by the government. No one is able to question this glaring violation of guidelines. The government claims to be pro-farmer but it does exactly the opposite, he fumed.
Ishaq Puttur of Shanti Publications, Gaurav Ahmed of Discover Islam Bangalore, Mangalore SKSM president Ahmed Ansar, Udupi Islamic Duva Centre president Atif Hussain, Dalit Sangharsh Samiti convener Jayan Malpe, Rasool Barkur of Janapara Vedike, Karnataka Komu Souharda Vedike representative Janardan Bhandarkar etc., were present at the dais.
Salim welcomed. Mohammed Hamza compered the programme and proposed vote of thanks.