Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/RD)
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Mangalore, Oct 19: The pro-Kannada activists here staged a protest against Railway authorities opposing the extension of Mumbai – Mangalore train to Thiruvanthapuram, on Thursday, October 18.
The agitators stopped the Mumbai-Thiruvanthapuram train at the railway station for few minutes. Hence, the train was delayed for some minutes. Speaking on this occasion, former Mayor Divakar said that Konkan Railway (KR) has been incorporated for the benefit of Mangaloreans who have a close relation with Mumbai. But the Mangaloreans are not getting benefits owing to the domination of Keralites, he alleged.
Another activist Hanumant Kamath, said that KR and ‘Matsyagandha Express’ was the brain child of former Railway minister, George Fernandes. But this train is no more in service now. Therefore, the officials should render justice to the people of coastal Karnataka, he urged.
Later, the memorandum was submitted to station master-in-charge, Narayan. The agitators took out the rally from Hotel Woodlands to city Railway station.
Dinesh Hegde Ulepady, Franklin Monteiro, Denis D’Silva, Hameed Kandak, Lancy D’Cunha, members of Sparsha Youth Counselling and others were present at the protest.