Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)

Udupi, Oct 27: Local MLA, Raghupati Bhat, addressing a press conference here on the second day of sit in protest organized by district sand action committee and other organizations, said that the family of Mohammed Haneef who died after taking part in the protest should be provided with suitable compensation. “He died of heart attack at the fact that Hejamady was declared ecologically sensitive area. Negligence by the government resulted in his death,” he claimed.

Bhat charged the district administration of having created artificial scarcity of sand. Building construction has completely stopped, he pointed out. "The government has accorded permission only for those extracting sand in traditional way since 2011. 171 people were given license to extract sand from rivers in coastal regulatory zone limits in the past. There was no official registration for those who were extracting sand before 2011. During the term of the then deputy commissioner, Muddumohan, an affidavit was submitted to green tribunal. A report that 171 people, who were extracting sand as at 2014, will get permission to extract sand was tabled. There were only 72 license holders before 2011,” he stated.

“We will write to the center to remove certain areas from the list of ecologically sensitive areas. Tender processes should be cancelled and lease system should be introduced. The sand policy of 2012 should be cancelled and new policy should be introduced. The protests will continue until all the 171 people get licenses,” he said.

Kundapur MLA, Halady Srinivas Shetty, Gopal Bhat, president district engineer’s association, Anwar Ahmed, district president, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, M G Nagendra, Sarva Sanghagala Maralu Horata Samithi, Sheela Shetty and others were present.