Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (SP)
Bantwal, Dec 9: The protestors including family members of the three youth who drowned in River Netravati on Tuesday reportedly due to the sudden surge of water in the river, continued to hold protest in front of the office of the tahsildar here on Thursday December 8. They have been insisting that AMR Company should own responsibility for the tragedy and pay compensation to the families of the victims of the tragedy. They have been insisting that the tragedy occurred because of release of water into the river by AMR Company’s reservoir at Shambhoor hydel project.
Former zillal panchayat vice president, M Tunappa Bangera, addressing the protestors, accused A M R Company of being stubborn in its stand of not paying compensation to the affected families. “Because of the large-heartedness of the people of the district, this company has been able to set foot here and rake up revenues. At the same time, it has stuck to its stand of not paying compensation to the families of the victims, who lost lives because of the careless of the project officials. We strongly condemn this attitude. If the company continues to stick to its stand, we will raise donations from the people here, and hand over the amount so collected to these families, as we are confident that the people of the district are generous. At the same time, we will continue to protest against the company and stop movement of their goods and vehicles,” he warned.
He also urged the policemen to register criminal complaint against the company, holding it responsible for the deaths of the three youth.
In a release, A M R Company said that its project in Shambhoor has nothing to do with the drowning of youth at Nandavar on Tuesday, clarifying that it is therefore, not bound to pay any compensation to the victims. Relating to the need to set up flood warning boards at strategic points in the river and blaring of siren to alert people, it said it will do so if the district administration instructs it to. Relating to the compensation, its officials said it could have done something before holding of protest. The company fears that if it makes compensation payment now, it will be flooded with more such claims, and that it will be held responsible for each and every tragedy that takes place in Netravati River downstream.
Relating to the order issued by the tahsildar during the protest held on December asking the company to suspend power production, the company officials said the tashildar does not enjoy the power to pass such an order.