Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jul 9: A meeting of various organizations and institutions including non-governmental organizations convened by Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)in the city on Wednesday July 8, decided to block the movement of all the trains that pass through the city, on July 25, opposing the extension of the train to the city from Bangalore to Kannur in Kerala.

All the organizations in unison supported the idea of holding a massive protest on that day, in support of the solitary demand that the train should not be extended to Kannur. It has been decided to submit a memorandum to the railway minister, officials and peoples' representatives, in an effort to convince them of the need to accede to this demand, before holding the protest. A delegation will meet railway minister Mamata Bannerjee and submit a memorandum to her, urging her to intervene  in the issue and drop the plan to extend the train.

The representatives of various organizations felt, that it has become imperative to agitate, to protect the rights of the local people. After a delegation of the KCCI meets the railway minister, a detailed plan of action for the agitation will be drawn up, by taking into confidence people from all classes of the society. A committee was formed for this specific purpose. The protest on July 25 will continue the whole day and all the trains will be withheld during this period, informed KCCI president Srinivas S Kamath.

Kamath  questioned the railway minister as to whether she wants the people of the district to follow the example of Bihar and set fire to the railway compartments just like the people of that state did, when trains were cancelled there.

Udupi Railway Yatri Sangh president R L Dias strongly advocated the protest move, saying that there is no other choice left for the railway commuters. The budget the railway minister presented, should have been limited to just allocating grants. There was no scope for announcing new trains, he said and expressed surprise at the fact that no one has been questioning this aspect. As the peoples' representatives have not been able to respond positively to the wishes of the people, he suggested that the people should get what they want through agitations.

Former president of Puttur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Lokesh Hegde expressed annoyance at the fact that the peoples' representatives have limited themselves to issuing press statements. So, fighting for our rights are the only way left for us, he argued.  Nagarika Hitarkshana Vedike convenor Hanumant Kamath also supported the move. Auto Rickshaw Drivers Organisation's coordination committee general secretary Vioshnumurty said that the movement of the people gets additional thrust, when peoples' representatives throw their weight behind them.

Various other leaders also strongly felt that launching a struggle has become imminent. KCCI vice president G G Mohandas Prabhu and general secretary Lata R Kini were present. Gneral secretary Charakant Rao proposed vote of thanks.