Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal

Bantwal, June 12: A consultation meeting was held on Thursday at B C Road under the leadership of M Tungappa Bangera regarding the protest against the toll collection centre at Brahmarakootlu, located on the Mangaluru–Bengaluru National Highway. During the meeting, a committee of like-minded individuals was formed to take forward the protest, and details of the movement were shared.

The like-minded group, opposing what they term an “unscientific” toll plaza, has launched the agitation under the slogan “Remove the Toll” (“Toll Hatao”).

At the meeting held today in B C Road, the group discussed placing a set of demands before the concerned authorities. They unanimously expressed that if the authorities do not agree to a compromise, this meeting should serve as a prelude to an intensified agitation.

The protest committee resolved to demand the provision of basic facilities at the toll centre, exemption from toll fees for locally registered vehicles (with registration numbers KA-19 and KA-70), and immediate action against the misbehaviour of toll staff. They also plan to meet the local MLA and MP and submit a memorandum with these demands to the National Highways Authority through them.

The protest committee stated that if the demands are accepted, the agitation would be withdrawn. However, if there is no positive response, they warned of a large-scale protest that will continue until the toll collection is halted.

Among those present were Madhukar Bangera Rai, Karunendra Kombarbail, T Harindra Pai, Shankar Shetty Bedramaar, Yashodhara Shetty Dande, Dhananjaya Shetty Sarapady, Shantappa Poojary Hatthadadka, Harish Shetty Nayanadu, Jinendra Jain Vagga, Pushpananda Moorje, Srinivas Poojary Seva, Girish Salyan Hegde Bettuguthu, Kishore Hatthadadka, and Dayananda Rai.

Prabhakar P M welcomed and thanked the gathering.