Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (EP)

Mangalore, Jul 4: Students of Deralakatte Aided Junior Primary School went on a protest march from the school to the junction near Belma grama panchayat and held a protest in front of the panchayat office on Thursday July 3 opposing the throwing of garbage near their school.

People have been throwing garbage near the state highway and in front of the panchayat office for the past many years. As the school is situated close by, the students have to study holding their breath.

Though trash piles up in front of the panchayat office and the locals have pleaded for cleaning of the place, there has been no response. The children condemned the apathy shown and urged the concerned authorities to remove trash from the place.

The trash gets cleared once a week and the panchayat pays Rs 4,000 from its personal fund to move it to Vamanjoor. The panchayat has issued notices to the commercial buildings in the area to maintain cleanliness. A complaint has been lodged with Konaje police seeking action against those who throw garbage here.

Two people who were throwing trash were identified by those keeping watch at night and a complaint was registered at Konaje police station. However, people are still throwing trash and getting away with it. “A trash disposal unit proposed at Kanekere survey number 51 and the related files are in the office of the Assistant Commissioner,” said Shanti, acting development official of the panchayat.

Vishwanath Kayarapalike from Ayyappa Temple, school headmaster Vaman, retired teacher Kittanna Rai, Yashodhar Bagambila, Gopinath Bagambila, Ganesh, and Sunil Padyana led the protests.