Mangalore: Bandh gets mass support, protestors burn Yettinahole project report
Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)
Mangalore, Mar 3: The district bandh called against Yettinahole project on March 3 received huge response, with the entire district, specially Mangalore city, supporting the bandh in myriad ways.
During the day, protests were held at various places, with people burning effigies of former CM Sadananda Gowda and union minister Dr Veerappa Moily and symbolically sounding the 'death knell'. Buses and auto rickshaws stayed off the roads, school and colleges remained shut, and though a few stray incidents of stone pelting were reported, the bandh was largely peaceful.
Towards the fag end of the day, a dharna was held at Hampankatta junction by the organizers of the protest Karavali Jeevanadi Netravati Samrakshana Samiti and a number of other organizations and leaders.
The protestors shouted slogans and sat on a dharna at the junction.
Former MLA Vijaykumar Shetty along with the protestors burnt copies of the detailed project report (DPR) of Yettinahole project.
Addressing the protestors and the public in general, Vijay Kumar Shetty thanked the people for their support to the bandh.
"This bandh was the most significant in the history of Dakshina Kannada district. No bandh has ever witnessed such massive support in the city. There is no doubt that this was the most successful bandh ever," he stressed.
He further said that the struggle to save Netravati river would continue and more protests would be held in the coming days.
He also thanked the media for giving good coverage to the bandh.
Leaders P V Mohan, Denis D’Silva, T K Sudhir, Ramanand Bolar, Dinakar Shetty, Shashiraj Shetty Kolambe, M G Hegde, Jayakar Samarth, Nemiraj Shetty, Uttham Alva, Yogeesh Shetty Jeppu, Dr Annayya Kulal and others were present.
Earlier Update
Mangalore: Bandh against Yettinahole project: Protestors sound 'death knell'
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje / Brijesh Garodi /
Meryick D'Silva / Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)
Updated
Mangalore, Mar 3: The district-wide bandh on Monday March 3 against Yettinahole project received the full backing of citizens as well as organizations.
Not only in the city, but people in Beltangady, Sullia and other places too observed the bandh in totality.
Meanwhile, in a generous gesture in spirit of the bandh, a hotel at Shivabagh offered free tea, coffee and snacks to the public. Scores of people were seen flocking to the hotel.
A couple of protests were held in front of DC's office against the project. The members of National Environment Care Federation as well as All College Students' Union symbolically sounded a death knell to drive home their point about the adverse effects of the project on Dakshina Kannada.
Addressing the protestors, Annayya Kulal said, "Netravati is the only lifeline of this coastal region. Though we get sufficient water in December, January and during monsoons, we immense problem after March. Many associations have been protesting aganst the project but the government has not at all responded. There is no need to implement this project. We trusted our leaders and elected them, but now they are cheating us and not responding to our concerns."
Shashiraj Shetty Kolambe, Mariamma Thomas and others present
In another protest at the same venue, All College Students' Union's Dinakar Shetty termed the project as 'useless' and said, "The project is unscientific. The protest today is taking place only in Dakshina Kannada but also in Chikkaballapur. Veerappa Moily and D V Sadananda Gowda must answer to the people."
He also warned that if the project is not revoked, Moily and Sadananda Gowda would be gheraoed next time they come to the city.
The protestors burnt effigies of Moily and DVS to express their anger.
Simultaneous protests are being held in Chikkaballapur too, where the foundation stone laying ceremony for the project is about to start.
Earlier Report
Mangalore: Bandh against Yettinahole project brings city to standstill
Mangalore, Mar 3: The district-wide bandh called in protest against the Netravati river diversion or Yettinahole project on Monday March 3 began on a successful note. The bandh, called by Karavali Jeevanadhi Netravati Samrakshana Samiti, has the support of over 70 organizations.
The entire city came to a standstill as buses and auto rickshaws stayed off the roads and businesses, schools and colleges remained shut.
A few people were seen stopping vehicles early in the morning requesting the drivers to support the bandh.
Tyres were burnt and roads were blocked by placing stones in various places of the city.
The general public, especially the office-goers were put to some inconvenience as buses and auto rickshaws were unavailable. People were seen waiting for transport at bus stops.
Sporadic incidents of stone pelting at buses were reported in places like Kodialbail and Adyar, but no major damage has been done. At a few places the police booths were toppled.
Tight police security has been deployed across the city.