Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR)
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Mangalore, Nov 20: November 19th was the eight day of the relay hunger strike undertaken by Mangalore Railway Development Action Committee (MRDAC) demanding the commencement of passenger train between Mangalore and Bangalore.
On the occasion C Ahmed Jamal, state secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League spoke about his party’s support to the on-going agitation. Further he even urged upon political leaders to keep away their own interests and fight for this important issue.
P V Mohan the convener of MRDAC informed that the post card campaign to convince Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi and the Railway Board Chairman regarding the issue had began on Monday itself. Towards this end in all 18,000 post cards would be sent to them. Moreover, a telegram campaign would also be launched in the next phase, Mohan added.
Plans were afoot also to form a common platform consisting of all political and non-political organizations which would then chalk out the future course of action. All segments of people, in-fact from different walks of life, have extended their support to the strike, he added.
However, according to the DC’s office personnel there has been no communication received till date, with regard to the Mangalore-Bangalore passenger train commencement from the Central government.
Several organizations have extended their support and solidarity to the strike, prominent amongst them being Giridhar Kamath, the district president of All India Chartered Accountants Association (AICAA), Bharath Shanbag, secretary, Harish Kumar, the president of Belthangadi Block Congress and Venugopal Nambiar, the district president of the BSNL employees association.