Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi/Padubidri (GA)
Pics - RK Durga Digitals

Udupi, Jan 20: Though the agitation agaisnt setting up of Nagarjuna has almost reached 30 days, the government is firm in its decision of establishing the thermal plant at Nandikur near here.

Despite lack of unison support from elected representatives, the protestors have continued their strike vehemently.  They have gone on hunger strike, held rasta roko etc.  But the result has not been encouraging to them.  While the construction work which was suspended for a week resumed once again on Friday, protestors are almost now without a powerful leader who can lead them.  A few leaders who led from the front initially for their own benefit, are slowly distancing themselves from the movement though they keep themselves in news by issuing statements to the press.

This was clear on Friday when the proposed highway bundh was turned into a symbolic bundh.  As reported earlier they agitators had clearly stated that they would intercept deputy chief minister on his way to the city and try to get an official statement about his stand on Nagarjuna.  But the police managed to convince the protestors and the proposed highway bundh was turned into symbolic bundh.

Though former minister Vasanth Salian and former MP Vinay Kumar Sorake were among the agitators, nothing much was achieved.  The protestors who are on the streets without even bothering about their food, work etc are now like sheep without a shepherd.  Leaders who said that they are ready even to lay their lives are now busy caring and nursing their own lives. 

Meanwhile the protestors continued shouting slogans against the government and Nagarjuna. They termed government's decision to resume construction work as insult to democracy.  Susi Golbe head Vijay Hegde, Parthasarathi of agriculturists association, Kaup block Congress general secretary Navinchandra Shetty and a few other local leaders were present during the agitation.