Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Dec 12: The people of the region have continued to agitate against the tough stance taken by A M R Power Project in Shambhoor in the taluk relating to a recent tragedy in River Netravati. While the people in general believe that three students, who lost their lives last week, were victims of carelessness of the officials of the project who had released excess water into the river without any advance warning, the officials of A M R Project have denied this allegation.

Former zilla panchayat member, Tungappa Bangera, announced that the people, who had been protesting against the company in front of the taluk office so far, will begin protesting in front of the office of the company in Shambhoor with effect from Monday December 12.

Addressing a press conference held on Saturday December 10 at Press Club B C Road, Bangera claimed that 11 lives have so far been lost because of the above project. He accused the project, district administration, and taluk administration, of being responsible for these tragedies because of their apathy. “The company should pay compensation of ten lac rupees to each of the 11 families which lost their members in the tragedies during the last three years. Sirens should be installed along the river bank from Shambhoor to Tumbe. Dangerous spots should be identified, and warning signs should be put up,” he demanded, duly explaining that the protestors are making these and some other demands. He revealed that the protest will be held under the banner of Nagarika Raksha Vedike, which is apolitical in nature, and without any caste, religion or party tag.

He said that the hydel power unit of the company will be shut down if the demands of the protestors are not met. He also revealed plans to organize protests in several phases including blockade of national highway, to draw the attention of the government. Bangera claimed that the action plan has the support of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishat (ABVP), Rickshaw Owners and Drivers Association, and others. He added that the students, under the banner of ABVP, will hold a protest in front of the office of the deputy commissioner on Monday.

The press conference was attended by Sachin Melkar, former taluk panchayat member, Damayanti P B, gram panchayat member, Ashraf Nandavar, Sesappa nandavar, and Purusha Salian, among others.