Bantwal: Drowning Case - Orders Issued to Stall AMR Power Project
News by Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (RD)
Bantwal, Dec 7: Following allegations by the locals that releasing of water into the Netravati River from the dam owned by AMR Power Project, operating at Shamboor, was responsible for the drowning of three students at Nandavar, near Panemangalore, on Tuesday December 6, the taluk penal officer T N Narayan Rao issued orders to AMR Power to stall the power plant until 10 am on Thursday December 8.
The locals led by ZP former member M Tungappa Bangera presented a memorandum to the Tahsildar on Wednesday morning seeking stalling of the AMR power plant that was responsible for drowning the students by releasing excess water from its dam without any prior notice.
It may be recalled that on Tuesday December 6, three youngsters, Jitesh, Laxmeesha and Yashodhar drowned in Netravati river after a sudden rise in the water level following the release of water from AMR.
The protesters alleged that AMR Power is responsible for the drowning of 11 people over the past three years and for playing havoc with the locals residing along the banks of the river. The protesters demanded that the officers of AMR Power come to the Tahsildar’s office. When they arrived, the protesters took them to task and a tense situation prevailed.
The officers clarified that they had not released water from the dam on Tuesday. Whenever such a need arises, they inform the Tahsildar, police station, and gram panchayat concerned besides blaring sirens at the time, they added.
The locals demanded an explanation from the officers as to why the water level increased at a time when the students had ventured into the river to bathe in knee-deep water.
The locals demanded that AMR Power award compensation to the 11 drowning victims over three years, install sirens from the power plant to Thumbe vented dam, install warning signs along the river banks, and issue a press release ahead of releasing the water.
ZP member Chennappa Kotian and Purusha Salian led the protesters. AMR Power officers Praveen, Gurudas, Ravish, and Premanath were present on the occasion.