Mangalore: Over 70 bodies backing Mar 3 bandh, bishop extends support

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, Mar 2: "More than 70 organizations have come forward to support the voluntary district bandh scheduled for Monday March 3," said former MLA Vijaykumar Shetty who has been among the forefront in the movement against Yettinahole project or Netravati river diversion.

Addressing a press meet on Saturday March 1 he said, "We also approached colleges and bus associations, and they have assured of their support. Colleges having exams scheduled for March 3 have assured that they would postpone the exams," he said.

Commenting on the project’s DPR (detailed project report) he said, "Earlier, in DPR it was mentioned that there was about 24 TMC drinking water, but now it has reduced to 22 TMC.  If it is just drinking water project, 6-8 TMC water is required but this water is also pumped to Bangalore, Tumkur, and various other places. EI Technology has no experience in undertaking this kind of project."

Slamming Harsha Moily’s comment in support of Yettinahole project, Shetty said, "Harsha Moily is known to the party people since just two months. He has no experience. Let him invite experts to discuss about this project."

M G Hegde, P V Mohan, and Dinesh Holla spoke on this occasion.

Denis D’Silva, Dinkar Shetty, and Shashiraj Shetty were present.

Bishop Dr Aloysius extends support

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore(MD)

Bishop of Mangalore Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza has in a statement expressed his support to the district bandh on March 3 in protest of Yettinahole project.

Speaking to daijiworld, Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza said, "Netravati river is coastal people's lifeline. Already in various parts of Mangalore people are suffering due to shortage of drinking water. Farmers are also facing shortage of water for their agricultural activities. If people try to change the direction of the naturally flowing Netravati river, it will be a big disaster in future. The surroundings, water and other natural resources belong to the people who live in that particular place. Without asking opinion of those people who live close to the river it is not at all right to approve this project. It is indeed regrettable."

He further added, "To protect the natural resources of Dakshina Kannada district, the people have called for a voluntary bandh on March 3, and I support them. I request the governent not to take water from Netravati river for the development of ponds and rain harvesting in Kolar and Chikballapur. The Catholic people of Mangalore will also join hands for the bandh on March 3. I request all the coastal people to support the bandh and to conduct themselves peacefully during the strike," he added.

Mangalore: Precautionary measures relating to bandh in place – DC

“The district administration has taken enough precautionary measures in the light of the district bandh call given by ‘Netravati Ulisi Horata Samiti’ in the district on Monday March 3,” said deputy commissioner of the district, A B Ibrahim.

Speaking to press persons here, Ibrahim informed that he had already consulted the leaders of the committee on the aspect of the bandh, and that the leaders have informed him that the bandh would be purely voluntary.  He said he would talk to the leaders of Bus Owners Association, as movement of private buses has been an important aspect in the lives of the people of the coast.

He clarified that elaborate arrangements will be made to ensure that the atmosphere is not vitiated during the period of the bandh, and that PU preparatory and SSLC examinations being held in various schools and colleges are organized without any hitch.