Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Dec 21: A 'surprise' protest by Karavali Karnataka Janabhivridhi Forum and Krishi Bhoomi Samrakshana Samithi during the Karavali Utsav inauguration, confused audience and put guests in an awkward situation here in the city on Friday, December 21.

The members were led by activist Vidya Dinkar, staged a protest by stretching out the banner ‘Karavali Utsava Alla, Karavali Ulisi’ (Not Karavali Festival, Save Karavali) across the stage where the inauguration was being held.

The members gheraoed the inauguration of the nine-day cultural fiesta 'Karvali Utsav' to stress on their cause ‘Save Karavali’. They demanded to stop extension of MRPL which is done acquiring agricultural land. Members of the forum gheraoed the Karavali Utsav inauguration by holding banners. They even climbed the stage holding banners and the audience could not see the guests seated on the stage.

District in-charge minister U T Khader, deputy commissioner Sasikanth Senthil, music director Guru Kiran were among the guest for inaugural function.

Policewomen took Vidya Dinkar and other members of the forum outside the premise. No arrests were made during the protest.

The forum members said, "This is not Karavali Utsav but they are demolishing Karavali by giving land to MRPL for expansion. We are being threatened asking signature for land acquisition. We are helpless and no one is answering to our demands.”

Vidya Dinaker said, "Karavali Utsav is sponsored by ONGC MRPL and this is wrong. We need answer from district in-charge minister U T Khader on the expansion of MRPL which leads to acquisition of agricultural land. We will continue our protest till justice is done.”

The protest which was held in the backdrop of the move made by MRPL to acquire land through KIADB (Karnataka Industrial area development board), took place in front of district-in-charge minister U T Khader, deputy commissioner Sasikanth Senthil, musician Gurukiran and other guests.