Udupi: Raitha Sangha Activists Disrupt Pejavar Seer’s Talk with UPCL Authorities
News & Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (RD/VA)
Udupi, Mar 4: The activists of district Raitha Sangha picketed at Yakshagana Kala Ranga office, here on Friday March 4, when the discussion meet between Vishveshateerta Swmaiji of Pejavar Mutt and the officials of Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) was in progress.
Over 200 activists of Raitha Sangha condemned the exclusive meeting of Swami Vishveshateerta with UPCL authorities alleging that there lies secret agenda between them.
UPCL officers Srinivas Reddy, Ravindra Reddy, Kishore Alva, Sudarshan Prasad and Girish Navada were engaged in a discussion meet with Swami Vishveshateerta when the activists of Raitha Sangha hurled slogans against them.
Although, Raitha Sangha president Vijay Hegde was invited for discussions, he was not seated in the dais.
It may be recalled that Swami Vishveshateerta had visited UPCL power plant on February 26 and had given a ultimatum to UPCL’s closure by Thursday March 3. But the power plant was functioning as usual even on Friday, despite the intervention of seer; it was the chief cause for the angry activists of Raitha Sangha to hinder the talks between Swamiji and UPCL authorities.
The policemen arrived on the spot and controlled the situation.
Swami Vishveshateerta clarified to the leaders of Raitha Sangha that he wanted to know the pros and cons of keeping the UPCL power plant shut or running and he has no hidden agenda behind the talks.
The Raitha Sangha president Vijay Hegde announced that Swami Vishveshateerta need not broker the talks with UPCL as their association alone will address farmers issue with UPCL.
The activists of Raitha Sangha later moved to Taluk Office where they met Tahsildar and explained the issue of environmental report that was alleged to be held by UPCL spokesperson Kishore Alva to misguide the farmer’s fraternity. Tahsildar in his reply said that he had not issued any environmental report and he will move the court against UPCL authorities to show cause related to the issue.
Raith Sangha key activists – Sudhakar Shetty, Vishu Kumar, Shashidar Shetty, Jayant Bhat, Nagesh Bhat, taluk panchayat member Sumana Kishore, the presidents and members of various gram panchayats under whose jurisdiction UPCL power plant is located were present on the occasion.