Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/RD)
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Mangalore, Nov 12: P V Mohan, convener of Mangalore Railway Fighters’ Federation, started hunger strike in front of Deputy Commissioner’s office on Monday November 12 along with several agitators.
Dr P L Dharma, director of Mahatma Gandhi Study Centre in Mangalore University, inaugurated the hunger strike by handing over the book ‘Nenapina Suliyalli,’ written by famous freedom fighter H S Doraiswamy to P V Mohan.
Speaking on this occasion, Dr Dharma said that, this hunger strike will be a milestone in the development of Dakshina Kannada (DK) district. Such kinds of protests can give a new meaning for the developmental path, he opined.
M B Abdul Rehman, president of Central Beary Parishat, said that Mahatma Gandhi used hunger strike as his ultimate weapon. The citizens of Dakshina Kannada are deprived of road or rail connectivity. The existing ‘Matsyagandha’ express train running on Konkan Railway (KR) route has been grabbed by vested interests from the neighbouring state of Kerala. Hence, ‘Dharma Yuddha’ (Peace war) has been started now, he asserted.
Peoples’ Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) leader P B D’Sa alleged that, the coastal area leaders like Oscar Fernandes and Janardhan Poojary seems to be sleeping now. They would have contributed a lot for the development of this coastal area, if they wished. But they did not do so. Hence, the citizens’ struggle for the justice will be continued, he informed.
Dinesh Hegde Ulepady, convener of Mangalore Railway Fighters’ Federation, said that Dakshina Kannada is one of the highest revenue generating districts in the state. But the district lacks such officials who are genuinely concerned about the development of this district, he expressed his concern.
At the same time, signature campaign was held. The protestors and general public signed on the flex banner to urge the railway authorities to begin Mangalore-Bangalore train services at the earliest.
Ibrahim, president of Mangalore Railway Fighters’ Federation, Ganesh Rao, Denis D’Silva and others were present on this occasion. V G Pal compered the programme.