Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/GA) - Ganesh S Perla
Mangalore, Apr 13: The move to put restrictions on public gatherings, processions, agitations etc was opposed vehemently by a group of people who gathered at public opinion meeting held here on Friday April 13 evening. Leaders of different political parties and stakeholders who had participated in the gathering opposed the district administration for initiating such a move.
Social activist Dayanath Kotian said that bureaucracy is curbing the freedom of democracy in the district. "A few incidents of violence which have affected the city are largely because of the inefficiency of the police. Actually police are trained to control and regulate any situation. Then why these restrictions on public gatherings or agitations?" he asked.
District administration has the responsibility to create and promote harmony among the people. Therefore, creating fear by enforcing these kinds of laws is not the right way, he opined.
CPI (M) leader B Madhava said that, by publishing the notification regarding the restrictions, the district administration has insulted the citizens of Dakshina Kannada. Further he said that, by imposing additional restrictions in the district, the district administration is permanently clamping Section 144 here.
JD (S) district president Balaraj Rai opined that, violence could be avoided by self-restrain only. Restrictions cannot help in controlling violations.
M G Hegde of Congress said that, police have not enforced the existing the laws in the district properly. "Many incidents have taken place in the district which have gone against the verdicts and rulings of the Supreme Court. But police have not taken any action. At the same time, we must admit that all the protests which take place in the district are not issue-based. Many are of personal interests and political reasons. Thinkers should find answer to avoid such protests. Only after this thinkers and progressive people can think of opposing the move by district administration," he advised.
District Congress vice-president Ivan D’Souza, senior advocate Asha Nayak, CPI leader B K Krishnappa, JD (S) leader J S Noronha, Congress leaders Tejomaya, Bondala Jagannath Shetty and many others were present at the meeting.