Daijiworld Media Network - Karwar (SP)

Karwar, Aug 12: State Human Rights Commission chairman S R Nayak questioned the deputy commissioner of the district, chief executive officer of Uttara Kannada zilla panchayat, sub-divisional officer and the tahsildar, about their failure to initiate action against the company that proposes to set up a thermal power plant at Hanakona in the taluk, for its action in undertaking unauthorized works.

During his visit to the site of the plant on Monday August 10, in connection with the recent violence and police action against the agitators, Nayak observed that the company had undertaken a number of works, without obtaining mandatory permission. He expressed anguish at the blatant irregularities indulged in by the company and angrily questioned the officials as to what they had been doing so long.

Speaking to reporters after the spot visit, he opined that the company management is indulging in goondaism. While other people here seem to be bound by law, the company does not seem to be bound by it, going by the unauthorized works it has undertaken, he commented. "During my earlier visit to Hanakona, I had asked the company to exercise restraint and not to begin any works in a hurry. However, the company has cut down vegetation in the forest region and laid a road to reach the site. Is the forest the company property?" he questioned.

Nayak also unequivocally condemned the police atrocities on women protestors. The policemen would have been in order in arresting the protestors, but beating them black and blue is condemnable, he remarked. Nayak informed, that the commission will collect full details and hold detailed investigation on this aspect.