Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Feb 17: Civilians living in and around Talapady are enraged by the FASTag mandatory rule and charging of double fare for those who do not have a FASTag sticker on their vehicles. The citizens will be holding a protest on Thursday, February 18 at 9 am. In the wake of this, a meeting was held on Wednesday, February 17 at Talapady.

Speaking on the occasion, Siddique Talapady, president of Gadinadu Rakshana Vedike said, "Lot of inconveniences has been caused due to FASTag. There is no need for a government. At present we are the government. Democracy is murdered. We have brought this issue to the notice of people's representatives and concerned ministers. Even an appeal is submitted. There is no question of further submission of appeals. On the whole, people are being conned. Let the government bring law and make FASTag mandatory. But there is a need for protest against looting the civilians."

"If officials, who have come from Andhra Pradesh are conducting atrocities on us, what is the use of us being locals? That is why we are going to hold a protest at 9:00 am on February 18. Roads will be blocked and protest will be held. The agitation will continue till justice is done. It was decided to form a committee in this connection after holding a discussion."

One of the attendees urged to form a protest committee as there are separate issues of people and buses. Other citizens, who attended the meeting said that if one or two people's representatives address this problem, it will not be enough. All the people representatives, regardless of party affiliation, should get united. This issue is pertaining to everyone. All have to express their opinion unitedly.

Talapady tollgate Horata Samiti was formed on the occasion with 11 executive members. The main demands are that free pass should be provided for residents living in and around five km radius from the tollgate, charging of double fare for no FASTag sticker should be dropped and Mangaluru-Talapady buses should be allowed to go till Melu Talapady as earlier.

Taluk panchayat members Siddique Talapady, Surekha, Ismail K C Road, DYFI Ullal zone president, Ashraf K C Road, Rohit, Vinu Shetty, Vaibhav Shetty, Jagadish, Manjanna, Naveena and Sarfraz were present.