Hariprasad Nandalike

Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (EP)

Karkala, Nov 26: A survey being conducted secretly during the last three days for proposed toll gate at Belman market, Karkala Padubidri state highway came to light on Sunday night. The campaign committee held a meeting at Belman on Monday, November 25, in this connection.

Campaign committee president Suhas Hegde said that erection of toll gate on Belman state highway will not be allowed at any cost. “We are prepared to resort to violent protests if the concerned officials do not bow to our peaceful protests. People will have to take law into their hands regardless of the company conducting survey for collecting toll in Belman. Let the government change their stand before people act in anger,” he said.

Zilla panchayat member Reshma Uday Shetty said that an appeal will be submitted to the government after visiting elected representatives, MLAs and district in-charge minister requesting officials not to give room for collection of toll at any cost on Karkal Padubidri state highway.

A decision was taken in the meeting to visit and request deputy commissioner, MLA and minister and for legal struggle.

Anguished villagers said that they are prepared to sleep on the road if tollgate is erected on Karkala Padubidri state highway. “The government will be responsible for the consequences, pain and suffering of violent protests if the subject is not given up,” warned the campaign committee.

“We will not tolerate secret survey. We will not allow the unloading of even stones,” said the villagers in anguish.

Campaign committee secretary Sarvajna Tantri, Shashidhar Shetty, gram panchayat president Varija Salian, taluk panchayat member Asha Devendra Shetty, former gram panchayat president Mallika Rao, Shanker Kunder Sooda, Sadashiva Shetty Bola and others were present.