Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Jan 20: On Thursday January 19, assistant commissioner (AC) from Kundapur, Shilpa Nag, MLA, Haladi Srinivas Shetty, and other people's representatives visited the spot opposite Airody gram panchayat office where indefinite protest was going on against the proposed fish mill unit that was coming up near Balekudru school at Hangarcutta since January 18. The protest was organized under the aegis of Balekudru Hitarakshana Vedike. At the request of villagers, they went through the files, locked up the proposed fill mill building, and instructed the concerned not to undertake any work there.
The villagers were protesting against the fish mill, which they alleged was being opened without valid permission. They said the fish mill will create problems for the students and locals by polluting the environment. The villagers were up in arms against the proposed unit since sometime, but after they got to know that the fish mill was proposed to be suddenly inaugurated on January 15, they resorted to protest. Students of Balekudru school had also joined the protest.
In the past, a fish cutting shed and fish waste powder units had been started here in spite of opposition from the people. Students were dithering from attending school because of stench emanating from these units located nearby. It is said that in spite of the document submitted not being in order, the previous panchayat development officer had issued licence for fish cutting shed, against which locals and panchayat members had protested. The protesters have been saying that the fish mill was being started in spite of the issue being in court. A dalit leader, Manjunath Balekudru, who was also one of the protesters, said that many students from higher income bracket had got admission to English schools because of the terrible stench here, and that poor, dalit students are forced to abruptly end their studies because of this unit, as poor financial position does not permit them to pay heavy fees of English schools.
Haladi Srinivas Shetty, who arrived at the spot, promised support to the people, and requested the AC to come to the spot. The AC, who held discussion with the people's representatives, protesters etc, announced that fish mill unit would be locked immediately under rule 133 (b) and promised to take further action as may be needed. She requested the protesters to withdraw their protest. She then visited the fish mill, conducted inquest, got it signed by leaders and locals, before locking up the mill and warning the concerned of legal action.
Zilla panchayat vice president, Sheela Shetty, taluk panchayat president, Nalini Pradeep Rao, zilla panchayat member, Raghavendra Kanchan, taluk panchayat members, Jyoti Uday Kumar and Sudheer Kumar Shetty, block education officer, Vasant Shanbhogue, taluk panchayat executive officer, Sheshappa, and many others were present.