Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Feb 16: MLA U T Khader on Tuesday February 16 condemned the arrest of Bengaluru-based climate activist Disha Ravi in connection with the 'toolkit' on farmers' protest that was posted by international teen climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Addressing a press meet here, Khader said, "Toolkit is just an open document. What was the need for arresting Disha Ravi in this case, just for forwarding a tweet made by a foreigner? Every party’s IT cell has a toolkit. As per my knowledge, it is just an open document, there's nothing secretive about it.

"This is nothing but suppression of freedom. Why are Karnataka chief minister and home minister silent when a Bengaluru-based climate activist is arrested? It is shameful to see state government’s silence and surrender to suppression," he said.

"The motive is to silence those who stand in favour of farmers and quell the farmers' protest. The state government should come up with a clarification and break its silence over the arrest of Disha Ravi," he added.

He also informed that Ullal government hospital will soon have a new AYUSH block worth Rs 35 lac. "The funds for the same have been sanctioned. The foundation stone of the new block is expected to be laid this week. The intention behind the new block is to avail Ayurvedic, homeopathic, allopathoc, and Unani treatment under one roof."

Regarding the Talapady tollgate issue over FASTag implementation, he said that district in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary along with MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, deputy commissioner and officials from Navayuga along with representatives of bus associations should conduct a meeting to resolve the problems. "The problems at Talapady tollgate are on the rise, with city buses and local buses refusing to cross the tollgate due to toll collection for local vehicles."