Mangalore: Students' Union waits with black flags for Moily in vain

Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)

Mangalore, Mar 5: Members of All College Students' Union on Wednesday March 5 gathered near Mangalore International Airport at Bajpe in anticipation of union minister Dr M Veerappa Moily's arrival, in order to protest his entry into the city for having approved the controversial Yettinahole project.

However, the minister did not show up as the MRPL programme was cancelled at the last minute due to the enforcement of election code of conduct from Wednesday.

Moily was scheduled to attend the MRPL programme wherein the phase 3 of the project, OMPL aromatic complex and ISPRL underground caverns were to be dedicated to the nation.

The Students' Union in a press meet on Tuesday March 4, expressing anger over Yettinahole project, had warned that its members would gherao Moily and show him black flags if he entered the city.

Moily was scheduled to land at Mangalore airport at 6 pm, but the protestors reportedly got prior information that he would be arriving early in order to avoid attention, and hence they gathered at spot well in advance.

Around 40 protestors holding black flags shouted slogans against Moily and waited for his arrival.

The Bajpe police led by circle inspector Narasimhamurthy and SI Anantha Murdeshwar arrived at the spot and ordered them to leave. When they learnt that Moily had cancelled his visit, the protestors vacated the spot.

Union president Dinakar Shetty, Nemiraj Shetty, Uttam Alva, Rakshith Poojary, Ashwith Kottary and others were part of the protest.