Vehicle rally against Niddodi power plant flagged off in Kinnigoli
Sunil Haleangady
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (EP)
Mangalore, Oct 22: The government should respond to the purpose for which protests are held as their neglect will lead to large scale violent repercussions, said K Laxminarayana Asranna, chief priest at Kateel temple.
He was speaking after flagging off a vehicle rally in protest against the proposed Niddodi ultra mega power project, led by Matrabhoomi Samrakshana Samiti of Niddodi at Kinnigoli here on Tuesday, October 22.
"The people should unite across religious lines to protest against dangerous projects which are disastrous for health and destroy the environment, he added.
Fr William Martis said that the government should know the ill effects of projects such as the thermal power plant on agriculture, places of worship, tradition, etc. "The government may start taking people for granted if we remain silent, and that would be dangerous" he warned.
Committee president Alphonso D’ Souza said that the rally consisting of more than 300 vehicles, will proceed till Swaraj maidan. The protest will continue by walk from there till the town office. A petition addressed to the chief minister will be submitted there, he said.
Bhaskar Devasya of the Samiti; Alfred Pinto of Kinnigoli church; Rotary club president Robert Rosario, Yugapurusha’s Kodethur Bhuvanabhirama Udupa, Kinnigoli Samiti’s Jossy Pinto, Niddodi Catholic Sabha president Valerian Sequeira, Kinnigoli Riksha owner and driver’s sangha president Umesh Bangera Aikala, Kinnigoli catholic sabha regional president Wilson D’ Souza, member Henry Pinto, Mennabettu grama panchayat president Janardhan Kilenjoor, Former president of Kinnigoli grama panchayat, Devaprasad Punaruru, Aikala Jayapala Shetty, Shalet Pinto, Samiti member Kiran Manjanbail and others were present.
Tight security was deployed under the guidance of Mulky circle police inspector Ramachandra Naik and sub-inspector Somayya.
Also Read:
Special Report: Niddodi reels under tradition versus development debate