Mangalore: KCCI Plans Series of Hunger Strikes Against Railway Ministry
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – (MM/NR)
Mangalore, Oct 14:The incessant negligence by the Union Railway Ministry towards the railways of undivided Dakshina Kannada has made Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to see red and take some strong measures now to counteract the same. The KCCI has therefore decided to stage a series of hunger strikes and also take the matter to the courts against railway officials similarly. This decision was taken at the KCCI meeting held here, on Saturday, October 13.
Delay in the introduction of Mangalore-Bangalore passenger railway trains, cancellation of ‘Janashatabdhi’ train which had been running between Mangalore and Mumbai, extending ‘Matsyagandha’ Express train from Mangalore to Trivandrum are the major issues being raised and the main reasons given for undertaking the series of hunger strikes and other judicial measures.
Speaking at the meeting, Lokesh Hegde of Puttur Chamber of Commerce informed that goods trains were introduced between Mangalore and Bangalore on 22nd November 2005. However, if the passenger trains are not introduced immediately, all the goods trains running between Mangalore and Hassan will be stopped at Puttur on 22nd November, he warned.
R L Dias of Railway Yatri Sangh said that it took 13 years to convert the meter gauge line into broad gauge. If the citizens of coastal area don’t break their silence, it will take another 10 years to introduce passenger railway between Bangalore and Mangalore. Therefore, a strong protest is necessary, he advocated.
Dinakar of Dinakar Industries said that the legislators as well as the executives have failed to do justice to the public here. Hence, it is better to take file a public interest litigation in the court and seek the help of the judiciary, he advised.
“Eunuchs!” declared Ahmed Bava, office bearer of KCCI and then went on to elaborate saying the railway officials have regarded the citizens of Dakshina Kannada like eunuchs. Because the legislators are only busy in issuing press releases instead of doing their duty. Therefore a strong and peaceful protest is the need of the hour, he declared firmly.
MLA Yogish Bhat, KCCI president K N Prabhu, KCCI office bearers Srinivas S Kamath, Shekhar Poojary, and representatives of many commerce associations were present at the meeting.
Details of Protests & Steps to be undertaken:
The first hunger strike will be held at Mangalore Railway station on 24th October from 8 am to 6 pm. The second will be at Mulki on 1st November and the final hunger strike will be held at Puttur on 22nd November. The date of hunger strike at Udupi has not been fixed as yet.
At the same time KCCI will write letters to Union Railway Minister, ministers from Mangalore and all local MPs urging the union railway ministry to introduce passenger trains between Mangalore and Bangalore soon, to re-introduce Janashatabdhi Express from Mangalore to Mumbai, not to extend the Matsyagandha Express into Trivandrum and to rename the Kankanady Railway Station as Mangalore Central or Mangalore Junction and lastly not to include Konkan Railway in the Salem division.
Train follow-up: