Pics: Sunil Haleangady
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, Sep 3: Hours after the police arrested 34 including 11 women for obstructing road work at Jokatte, hundreds of protestors gathered outside Suratkal police station here condeming the police action.

The protestors who gathered in huge numbers demanded the release of the arrested persons.

The police detained several protestors and took them to Panambur police station, along with those who had been arrested earlier. Several protestors also gathered at Panambur station.

Four of the persons who were arrested - DYFI president Muneer Katipalla, Shamshuddin, Moidin and Hakeem - were produced in court while rest of the detained persons were released.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that MRPL too has filed a case against DYFI for obstructing work.

Speaking to daijiworld, DYFI district secretary Santosh Bajal said, "The SEZ contractors are not following rules. They are working without licence. In a recent meeting, the gram panchayat had ordered that SEZ works should not proceed until all the issues are sorted out. They should respect the gram panchayat orders. By continuing their work, they are breaking the rules.

"A certain distance from residential area has to be mandatorily maintained while developing industries. But here the industry is very near to Jokatte residential area. We will not stop our struggle until the matter is resolved," he added.

Cases have been registered against Muneer Katipalla and other arrested persons in both Suratkal and Panambur police stations.

Earlier Report

Mangaluru: Jokatte residents protest SEZ road work - 34 including women arrested

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, Sep 3: Chaos prevailed near Jokatte railway gate here on Thursday September 3 after locals led by DYFI president Muneer Katipalla prevented officials and workers from carrying out repair work on the corridor road leading to SEZ.

It is learnt that deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim had given orders to take up the repair work on the approach road to SEZ, and had written to the police commissioner to provide police protection to the workers in view of recent protests by Jokatte residents against the ongoing works at SEZ.

As per the DC's orders, the road work was about to begin at Jokatte under heavy police security, when locals led by Muneer Katipalla arrived and protested by lying down on the road.

The police arrested 34 protestors, including Katipalla and 11 women, and took them to the Suratkal police station.

Speaking to daijiworld, Katipalla said, "We had told the DC that no work related to SEZ should take place at Jokatte at any cost. In spite of our appeals, the DC has issued orders to undertake work under police protection.

"When the police came to arrest us, we lay on the roads. The police arrested 18 people including women. Though we have been arrested, locals are still protesting at the spot," he added.

Police sources told daijiworld that an FIR is yet to be filed.