Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Sep 18: State Raita Sangha president, Kodihalli Chandrashekhar, has warned the state government that the Sangha will launch a strong agitation by bringing together the people of the twin districts, and with the support of the people across the state, if the government fails to force Udupi Power Corporation Ltd near Padubidri in the district to shut down its operations. He was speaking at a meeting organized at Padebettu Subrahmanya temple on Friday September 17, after inspecting the damage to the crops caused by the effluents being released by UPCL.

He accused UPCL of flouting rules and releasing polluted water into the open, thus contaminating the fields and wells of the villagers. He said UPCL has not yet obtained several permissions required for its operations.  He also demanded for the dismantling of Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board for acquiring over a lac acres of land from the farmers for industrial purposes, and diverting 75% of the same for real estate business. He also wanted criminal cases to be filed against companies which misuse the land allotted to them.

He informed that the activists of the Sangha will hold protests in all the taluk headquarters in state on October 4, to urge the Chief Minister (CM) to undertake works for the welfare of farmers in the state. He charged the CM of claiming to be pro-farmer, but not doing anything for them.