Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (EP)

Karkala, Apr 27: About forty road work labourers from Haveri district are stranded here at Bailur without shelter and food. A woman among them is eight and a half months pregnant. They also have nine children. Kannadiga Patrakartara sangha Maharashtra president Rons Bantwal had explained their plight on April 14 to Karkal MLA V Sunil Kumar, journalist Shekar Ajekar, Gangadhar Paniyoor and Victor Mathais (Vitori Karkala).

Shekar Ajekar conveyed the information to Udupi DC G Jagadeesha. The DC had directed tahsildar to quickly gather details. Karkala BJP president Anantakrishna Shenoy had telephoned Rons Bantwal saying that the health of the woman will be taken care of.

Labour supervisor Santhosh Lamani had informed Rons Bantwal about the situation earlier on directions from former Haveri MLA Rudrappa Lamani.

As the problem persisted, Catholic Sabha Karkala deanery president Robert Menezes took the initiative and provided rice and pulses to the stranded workers. He also went to Karkala taluk office and persuaded tahsildar to issue an NOC based on medical emergency and sent 12 people including the pregnant woman and five children to Haveri and Dharwad. Richard Castelino accompanied the workers to reach safely. The workers paid the vehicle hire.

Rons Bantwal has thanked DC G Jagadeesh, tahsildar Purandar Hegde, Robert Menezes, Shekar Ajekar and Vitori Karkala. “Kaudoor gram panchayat member Jagadish Tendulkar donated rice, pulses and vegetable while PDO and health officials were visiting the workers and inquiring their health,” said team leader Mubarak. Remaining 28 workers including 4 children and five women are yet to be sent.