Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 28: Netravati Rakshana Samyukta Samiti has decided to organize voluntary Dakshina Kannada district bandh on May 19 to put pressure on the state government to shelve Yettinahole project, which envisages diverting of water from a tributary of River Netravati.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held on Wednesday April 27 at Arya Samaj in the city under the presidentship of former MLA, Vujay Kumar Shetty. A decision to organize this bandh was taken after taking note of the fact that the government was going ahead with Yettinhaole project, totally overlooking the objections raised by the people of Dakshina Kannada district.

"The district is facing acute shortage of drinking water. Everyone is now realizing the important role played by River Netravati in their lives. Therefore, we need to come together to pressurize the government to to immediately stop execution of this project. To achieve our objective, in addition to legal means, we also have to intensify our agitation to bring pressure on the government," Shetty felt.

Shetty came down heavily on the people's representatives for their failure to throb to the aspirations of the people. Insisting that this is a question of life and death, he felt that it was wrong on the part of the people to jeopardise the future of the next generation by keeping mum and allowing the project to proceed further.

Vijay Kumar Shetty also felt that there is a need to carve out separate Tulunadu by combining Kodagu and undidivded Dakshina Kannada district, because of the unwilliingness of the government to lend an ear to the voices of the people here.

Sri Esha Vittaladasa Swamiji of Kemar Sadhanarshram supported Shetty's views and felt that here is a strong need to organize intensified protest against the project. Sri Rajashekharananda Swamiji of Vajradehi Math Gurpur announced his preparedness to take active part in this protest. President of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada district Muslim Central Committee, K S Muhammed Masood, said that he has realized the tragic consequences of supporting Yettomajp;e project, adding that the Muslim community is prepared to join hands with any kind of fight against this project.

Convener of the Samiti, M G Hegde, said that shockingly, the state government, which realized that enough water was not available from Yettinahole project, is now preparing a blue print to lift water from Gundia. He expressed shock at the way government is expanding the scope of this project.

Fr William and Fr J C B Crasta, who participated as representatives of Bishop's House, supported the action plan against Yettinahole project.

Samiti office bearers, Satyajit Suratkal, Meghnath Shetty, Vijayakumar Kodialbail, Harikrishna Bantwal, Annayya Kulal, Dinakar Shetty, and others were present.