Mangalore: High Drama at Anti-MSEZ Protest – Self-immolation Bid Foiled
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/SP)
Pics by Dayananda Kukkaje
Mangalore, Jan 25: A youth named Lokesh, member of a family affected by the land acquisition for the proposed Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ), tried to immolate himself by pouring kerosene, in the presence of about 200 protestors, who were engaged in sloganeering and protest against the inept attention paid to their problems by the concerned. A protest was held in front of the MSEZ office at Urwa Market in the city since Tuesday January 25 morning, demanding immediate meeting of the demands of people who lost their lands for MSEZ, to provide jobs to unemployed people from their families.
The agitators said that MSEZ has been giving different dates for addressing their grievances, but has failed to do anything other than deferring the dates. They alleged that they were earlier given seventh, tenth, 18th and 22nd January as dates for addressing their problems, but nothing happened. The agitators also were enraged at the fact that none of the top officials had showed up at the office, although they were aware of the upcoming protest.
As per the economic zone terms, unemployed youth of the families at the rate of one per family, have to be provided training and employment by MSEZ, the agitators said. A number of students, who have recently passed out of their training, joined the protestors, demanding jobs for them. For a short while, there was tussle between the students and members of Samyukta Hitarakshana Samiti of Permude and Kalavar villages, after the students alleged that president of the committee, Bhujanga Shetty, had sided with the MSEZ, and hence, is not participating in the protest. Later, Bhujanga Shetty joined the protestors in a passive manner. Still, the youth continued to allege that the committee has not been serving their interests, and that the committee members have meekly submitted themselves to the wishes of the MSEZ and agreed for another postponement of date.
A number of people narrated their woes. One among them, Zeenat Bibi, said her family members are starving as they have no income now.
The MSEZ officials communicated to the affected families that all the officials concerned will be brought together for a meaningful dialogue with them to find a lasting solution for their problems, on January 29. The protestors, who were not willing to accept another postponement, agreed for the same thereafter.
Lawyer and Vishwa Hindu Parishat secretary, Jagadish Shenava, who spoke to the concerned, announced that January 29 as now proposed will be accepted as a final date for addressing the grievances of the affected families. He said that if the problems are not addressed by the officials by February 2, the office of MSEZ will be locked on February 3, and it will not be allowed to function from that day. The protestors said that on January 29, at least a hundred of them should be provided with jobs, to satisfy them about the legitimate intentions of MSEZ officials.
Other leaders including Bajrang Dal leader, Sharan Pumpwell, were present.
Talking to Daijiworld, one of the MSEZ officers said that a final solution will be provided at a meeting scheduled to be held in Bangalore on Saturday January 29 with the representatives of Samyukta Hitharakshana Samithi.