Shivaprasad Vakwady
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Oct 21: Udaya Suvarna who appealed against illegal sand mining at National Green Tribunal (NGT), Chennai, held a press meet on 0ctober 20 here against the statement of Former MLA K Raghupati Bhat and claimed that he had nothing to do with sand mining.
In the press meet, Udaya Suvarna said, "The illegal mining had started in Haradi and Baikady, during Raghupati Bhat’s term. We appealed to him and the respective departments - department of mining, gram panchayat, department of police and the department of fisheries. But they did not respond or even attempt to stop the mining."
On the whole, eight organizations are in support of his fight, he said, keeping their identity undisclosed. He also said that his fight against sand mining is going on from past 11 years.
Suvarna also said that he worked in the fishmeal company owned by minister Madhwaraj but there is no relationship between his fight and the minister. He said, in case his fight and work are in conflict, he will quit his job as he did in the past when he contested gram panchayat election.
He showed many documents and pictures which served as evidence of his fight and concluded the press meet by saying, he will not back down from the battle, and will be ready to accept any kind of judgment given by the court on October 27.
Ronald Baikady, Suthananda Kukkude and Suresh Kunder were present at the press meet, amongst others from Haradi and Baikady.