Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Beltangady, Nov 2: Activists of Tulunadu Okkuta were detained by the local police when they were preparing to hoist the separate Tulu State Flag here on Sunday November 1 near Ambedkar Bhavan here. The incident occurred on Sunday November 1.

It is said that Tulunadu Okkuta president Shailesh R J along with activists were making arrangements to hoist separate Tulu State Flag in protest against Yettinahole project, and also in support of demand to include Tulu language in the eigth schedule of the constitution and demanding separate statehood for Tulunadu, claiming that the the people of the region were facing gross injustice. The police arrested them.

Several activists were present on this occasion.

Tulu flag was also hoisted at Pulithadi, Uppinangady at around 9 am on Sunday. Uppinangady police sub-inspector, Timmappa Naik and staff arrived on the spot and asked the concerned to bring down the flag that they said, was hoisted without obtaining prior permission.

Activists including those who were opposed to Yettinahole project argued that they have freedom of expression under the constitution and that they had done nothing illegal. Puttur assistant superintendent of polie, P B Rishvanth, rushed to the spot as the activists remained adamant not to lower the flag. He warned of action against those who hoisted the flag without obtaining prior permission. As the activists remained firm, he asked Uppinangady gram panchayat development officer, Abdul Asaf, to bring the flag down. The gram panchayat administration then arranged to lower the flag in the midst of protest by activists.

Convener of Anti Netravati River Diversion Committee, Dr Niranjan Rai and other leaders were present.